Sikorski: Kyiv confirms no obstacles to conducting search and exhumation work in Ukraine

On Tuesday, the foreign ministers of Poland and Ukraine, Radosław Sikorski and Andrii Sybiha, met in Warsaw. The meeting focused on Polish-Ukrainian relations as well as transatlantic policy.

After the talks, the two politicians held a joint press conference, during which Sikorski said: "I would like to underline our position. Ukraine must regain its territories within internationally recognized borders. If talks to end the war were to begin, which, in our view, does not seem likely given Russia's increasingly brutal attacks, any solution must be approved by our Ukrainian friends. Poland will support them in this."

The Polish foreign minister also highlighted that any solution concerning Ukraine would have direct consequences for Poland’s security. "We are familiar with the history of attempts by powers to negotiate over the heads of the countries involved. In the past, these attempts brought nothing good," he noted.

Sikorski also quoted the ministers' statement following the meeting: "Ukraine confirms that there are no obstacles to conducting search and exhumation work by Polish state institutions and private entities in cooperation with the relevant Ukrainian institutions, in accordance with Ukrainian legislation, and declares its readiness to positively consider requests in these matters."

Andrii Sybiha also stated that both Ukrainians and Poles are interested in ensuring there are no misunderstandings between the two nations. "Every family has the right to honor the memory of their ancestors," emphasized the head of Ukrainian diplomacy.

He further mentioned: "Currently, as part of a joint Ukrainian-Polish working group under the auspices of the ministries of culture of Poland and Ukraine, we are working on practical mechanisms for conducting search and exhumation operations."

For years, Poland has been demanding that Ukrainian authorities lift the ban on searching for and exhuming Polish victims of the Volhynia massacre.

Addressing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Radosław Sikorski stated that Ukraine’s membership in the European Union is in Poland's strategic interest. The Polish foreign minister assured that Poland would use its upcoming presidency of the EU Council to accelerate the process of Ukraine's EU accession as much as the EU's methodology allows.

He also pointed out that negotiations regarding Ukraine's EU membership would be complex, addressing sensitive issues such as transport and agriculture. However, Sikorski emphasized that no issues unrelated to EU membership would affect Poland’s position.

He further highlighted that discussions with Andrii Sybiha would also cover how "Poland can provide expert support to Ukraine in the accession process."

Sikorski added that Poland, during its EU presidency, would not only work to keep Ukraine high on the EU agenda but also encourage EU partners to impose additional sanctions on Russia, including targeting the so-called "shadow fleet" of tankers used by Russia to circumvent sanctions.

Andrii Sybiha stated that "Russia can only be forced to peace." To achieve this, Ukraine’s partners must take decisive actions. "It is necessary to increase military support for Ukraine and strengthen the air shield," he said, emphasizing the need for tougher sanctions on Russia, especially its "shadow fleet" and the metallurgical industry.

Sybiha called for the 15th EU sanctions package during Poland's presidency of the EU Council. He also stressed that it is unacceptable for European countries to issue hundreds of thousands of Schengen visas to Russian citizens each year. "Russian citizens in Europe are a security threat to EU member states, and we believe the time has come to limit the issuance of visas," he stated.

The Ukrainian foreign minister expressed gratitude to Poland for its support, citing the "ambitious security agreement signed between Ukraine and Poland this year" and the formation of the Ukrainian Legion in Poland. However, he also emphasized the need for further support, specifically the downing of Russian missiles over Ukraine, as Russia continues to attack cities, infrastructure, and civilians in Ukraine. "We need immediate, bold decisions," Sybiha stressed.

The Ukrainian minister added that Ukraine expects support from Poland's EU presidency to ensure a smooth and fast Ukraine-EU negotiation process.