Donald Tusk met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lviv

The meeting was first announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"I have already had talks with the Chancellor of Germany, the Chancellor of Austria, and today I will meet here in Lviv with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk regarding the work of the new ministry (the Ministry of National Unity) and support for Ukrainians abroad," Zelenskyy said at the All-Ukrainian Congress of Local and Regional Authorities held in the city.

"PM Donald Tusk has travelled to Lviv to meet with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy," Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland said on X later on Tuesday.

The Chancellery added that "PM DonaldTusk paid a visit to the historic Melnyk Street in Lviv, which is the process of being rebuild after suffering heavy damage from a Russian missile attack."

Later, both leaders held a joint press conference. Zelenskyy said that the talks were "productive." "Today we discussed mutual understanding and shared experiences. The Prime Minister informed me about the arrangements made by the Polish side. I shared our conditions and the diplomatic talks we are having with our partners. It is very important for Ukraine and Poland to work together to support each other's efforts," he said.

"As for the historical issues between our countries, there are meetings, there is joint work that has begun, and we are making progress," Zelenskyy added.

Zelenskyy also stated that today, Europe needs a strong, unified stance from all of Ukraine's partners, not just, as he put it, "a temporary pause in combat actions in Ukraine."

The Ukrainian President thanked Poland for its willingness to help, as well as for the assistance already provided.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Poland's upcoming presidency in the EU Council "could bring even better results, bringing us closer to joining the European Union." He also expressed his gratitude to Poland for its support of Ukraine's desire to become a full NATO member.

"Poland knows how important it is in our region of Europe to ensure that security is actually guaranteed and that there are no geopolitical ambiguities," Zelenskyy said.

The Polish Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Ukrainians for their readiness to defend not only their own country but also Poland and all of Europe. "I am convinced that more and more people around the world understand that it is the mission of every civilized nation to support Ukraine in this heroic struggle," he stated.

He emphasized that the fight of Ukrainians against Russia is "part of a great civilizational clash," and that Ukraine will always be able to count on Poland.

"We can't give everything. In a sense, we are also a frontline state. Poland is increasingly becoming a target for diversion, sabotage, and hybrid activities directed directly against our citizens and our state," Tusk said.

He also mentioned that "Poland's involvement in supporting Ukraine is also the defense of our own country and Europe against hostile actions by Russia, which are no longer aimed only at Ukraine."

Donald Tusk stated that "we are facing a great challenge for the future of Ukraine, Poland, and Europe." He emphasized that "we must all, without exception, support Ukraine now, more than ever before."

"Poland will do everything in its power to make Ukraine's NATO membership a real possibility," the Polish prime minister underscored.

He added that Western countries must do everything to ensure that Ukraine emerges from the war with Russia without losses, with respect for its territory and borders, and with security for the future.

"In a few days, we will be opening a new border crossing between Poland and Ukraine. Apart from its practical value, it symbolizes our efforts for ordinary citizens who wish to benefit from such amenities before the holidays," Tusk announced.

The Polish prime minister emphasized that since the beginning of the war, Poland has provided Ukraine with a significant amount of equipment, "far more than any other country in the world." Therefore, he explained, "today we have fewer resources than those who joined the assistance later."

"The threat of Russian provocations and increasingly less hybrid aggression against Poland is greater than against Spain or the United Kingdom ... And that is why, when we decide on further aid tranches, we must constantly remember that we have to secure a very long border with Belarus and a fairly long border with Russia. On the border with Belarus, there are continuous incidents; gunfire can be heard almost every day," Tusk said.

He also announced that another aid package for Ukraine will likely be delivered in January. "We discussed potential equipment for a brigade. I will have further talks about this, and it may be a joint initiative with Scandinavian countries - we have agreed not to disclose details - but I am convinced that we will find creative solutions where Poland can be helpful in equipping the Ukrainian army," Tusk explained.

He added that another form of aid to Ukraine requires decisions from NATO partners. "Perhaps we will be able to finalize our preparations to transfer certain equipment that Ukraine is waiting for, but we need to complete some actions on the part of certain NATO allies."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that the question of deployment of foreign peacekeeping troops in Ukraine could potentially be raised at a meeting of the leaders of Germany, France, Poland and NATO, among others, in Brussels on Wednesday.

He added that the issue of strengthening Ukraine on the battlefield and geopolitically could also be discussed.

The last talks between Tusk and Zelenskyy in Ukraine took place on January 22 in Kyiv. The discussions focused on, among other topics, joint purchases of military equipment for Ukraine and security guarantees.

This week, the President of Ukraine is set to visit Brussels to participate in talks organized by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding, among other things, future security guarantees for his country.