Pete Buttigieg: I wanted to see how Poles and Ukrainians have changed their lives

American politician Pete Buttigieg currently serves as U.S. Transportation Secretary. During his recent visit to Ukraine, he discussed post-war reconstruction of the local infrastructure with a number of Ukrainian politicians.

One of the concrete achievements of his visit to Kyiv was the appointment of a new special transportation advisor to Ukraine - Robert Mariner, who had previously served as an advisor to the transportation counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan.

After the trip to Ukraine, Buttigieg arrived in Poland where he visited one of the Polish foundations which help refugees from Ukraine and gave an interview to TVN24.

The interview was conducted in the seat of the "Kocham Dębniki" foundation in Kraków.

"I wanted to make sure that I could see for myself how the people here in Poland are helping those who have been displaced because of the brutal war that is taking place in Ukraine. And what I wound up seeing is not only that but also the way that Ukrainian refugees have been empowered to support one another. They clearly want nothing more to than contribute as well as to be able to of course to ultimately return home," Pete Buttigieg told TVN24's Marcin Kwaśny.

"And to see for myself the empowerment that is taking place, the mutual support, the way that everybody’s lives – Polish and Ukrainian – have been changed is very moving and a very important story for me to take back with me to the United States," he added.

Asked if the question of Ukrainian refugees in Poland and other countries was still a major issue for the U.S. administration, he replied: "Absolutely". "Look, success for Ukrainian resisting the aggression is priority for us."

"We know that it that can’t be something anyone can achieve alone and so much of the work, so much of the challenge has also come onto the shoulders of the frontline countries who have so generously and so actively given their support. This has transformed communities and I know that the consequences of this war have been a major burden on so many countries that have stepped up. And we admire that and we want to encourage it and support it because it is inspiring," Buttigieg explained.

To a remark that many Ukrainians are worried that the USA might be more concerned with their ally Israel fighting against Hamas, Buttigieg replied: "A country like the U.S. always has to able to handle many things at once".

"And one of the reason that I’m here, and one of the reasons that I was in Kyiv as well, is to communicate that it remains a major priority for president Biden and for the United States. Right now, our Congress is actively debating further measures to support the effort in Ukraine. And by being here, I hope I’m able to carry this message as well," he explained.

Buttigieg also spoke about what he had experienced in Ukraine. "I was moved by the resilience of the Ukrainian people. To see how they’re carrying forward is inspiring and is a reminder of the shared values that motivate the United States and countries like Poland to do everything that we can to support our Ukrainian friends."

The American politician also mentioned "more practical conversations" he had held with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov.

"We were able to speak some of the different ways in which we can help with priorities like making sure their means of exporting the grain and other products that Ukraine produces. This important to sustain their budget, to sustain the war effort in the Ukrainian economy. But also it’s important for the world because the Ukrainians help to feed the world."

WATCH THE WHOLE INTERVIEW WITH U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG BELOW