Kuleba: no misunderstandings with Kaczyński regarding NATO peacekeeping mission proposal

Dmytro Kuleba's visit to Poland began on Wednesday. He met with a number of top Polish officials, including President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, PiS chairman Jarosław Kaczyński and speakers of the Sejm and the Senate - Elżbieta Witek and Tomasz Grodzki.

At a press conference on Friday, Kuleba was asked about Poland's proposal to send a NATO peacekeeping mission to Ukraine. The idea was put forward on March 15 by Jarosław Kaczyński during his visit to Kiev, along with PM Mateusz Morawiecki and his Czech and Slovenian counterparts - Petr Fiala and Janez Jansa.

Ukrainian foreign minister underscored that "Poland is a member of NATO and has the option to use certain initiatives in the Alliance". He added, however, that his country had only one reservation: "These initiatives should not freeze the conflict".

Kuleba informed that he'd had a very open conversation with PiS chairman Jarosław Kaczyński. "I've received full understanding from Mr Kaczyński as regards Ukraine's standpoint. And that's how I see Mr Kaczyński's genuine will in his attempt to help Ukraine," he said.

"There are absolutely no concerns and misunderstandings regarding the question of such mission. Our actions are synchronized," the minister said.

"We're on the same side. We are grateful to Poland to all initiatives we will be discussing," he added.

Answering another question regarding the mission, he replied: "we have synchronized our standpoint regarding this initiative, but I think that because this initiative came from Poland, we should leave it to the Polish government to decide what it wants to do next".

He stressed that Ukraine was a partner of NATO, but not its member. "So, we trust Poland and we shall leave it to Poland to decide what to do with this initiative," Kuleba added.