Poland's ambassador to USA: Putin has achieved what NATO hasn't been able to achieve for many years

Russian invasion into Ukraine is in its eighth day. The aggressors are not only bombing strategic military infrastructure, but also civilian structures, including residential buildings. According to the Ukrainian side, casualties include hundreds of civilians, also children. The Russians attacked Ukraine both from the north - including territory of Belarus - and the south, from the Crimea. The heaviest battles are ongoing in Kharkiv and the capital city of Kiev. The Ukrainians are maintaining a fierce resistance.

Poland's Ambassador to the United States Marek Magierowski spoke on the situation in Ukraine in an interview for Fakty TVN correspondent Marcin Wrona.

He was also asked, among other things, about Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyi's posture in these dire circumstances.

"I think that admiration for president Zelenskyi is widespread, not only in the United States, but also across the whole world, the free world," he said.

"Today, with his courage and steadfast posture, Volodymyr Zelenskyi protects the free world, not only the independence of his homeland and freedom of all Ukrainians, but also our freedom," he added.

Asked if the USA was doing all it could to help the Ukrainians, Magierowski replied: "I think that the Americans are doing all they can at the moment for the Ukrainians, so that they could be successful in the heroic defence of their country".

"Paradoxically, (...) president Putin has achieved what we haven't been able to achieve for many years - he reinforced NATO, he led to the resurrection of the European Union, he certainly cemented the national identity of Ukrainians, he triggered an unbelievable change in Germany's foreign and economic policy, which especially here in the United States is seen as a very positive surprise and a huge change for better," Poland's ambassador to the USA said.

Marek Magierowski was also asked about potential permanent U.S. military presence in Poland. "This of course is not our decision, or at least not only our," he replied.

He reminded that when U.S. President Joe Biden has been asked about this issue, he had given an evasive answer "because he cannot make clear, one-hundred-percent declarations today". "But I think that's the direction it's all heading," he added.

Speaking about Polish-U.S. relations, the ambassador said that the "contacts are very intensive at various levels". He reminded that presidents of both countries have recently spoken during meetings of leaders in a larger group.

Asked if a bilateral meeting between Joe Biden and Andrzej Duda was being planned, he said: "We'll see. It's important that president Duda partakes in those talks, because it underscores the role of Poland in the geopolitical context, as well as of the president himself as a very important partner for president Biden, the Canadian prime minister, and for Ursula von der Leyen. As you can see, there have been plenty of this contact recently".