Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Wednesday (Feb.21) for emergency talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the European Union over a blockade of his country's border with Poland by Polish farmers.
Zelenskiy said he wanted such talks to take place on the Polish-Ukrainian border before Feb. 24 - the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine - and added that Kyiv was ready to find a pragmatic solution.
"Now I would like to address all those who remember the true meaning of the word 'solidarity'. A word that has so much changed the fate of our Europe for better. That's how it used to be. And in many aspects, it still is. But now we are also witnessing an excessive and unjust politicization, which can cause our common achievements to crumble," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram.
"I have ordered our Government to arrive at the border between our countries soon, by Feburary 24. And I ask You, Donald, Mr Prime Minister (PM Donald Tusk), to come to the border too. Andrzej, Mr President, I ask you to support this dialogue. This is about national security. We must not delay it. The coming days are a chance for us," he added.
"I'm ready to turn up at the border along with our Government. And I would like to appeal to the European Commission - we must maintain unity in Europe. This is a fundamental interest of the European Union," Zelenskiy stressed and requested an EU Commission representative be present at the meeting.
"No more Moscow on our lands. No more misunderstandings," the Ukrainian leader underscored.
The Polish farmers are angry over what they say are cheap Ukrainian food imports. They staged a major day of protest on Tuesday, blocking almost all traffic on the border with Ukraine, angering Kyiv.
Farmers across Europe have been demonstrating against constraints placed on them by European Union measures to tackle climate change, as well as rising costs and what they say is unfair competition from abroad, particularly Ukraine.
Poland's Agriculture Minister Czesław Siekierski told reporters the government had invited farmers groups for talks on Monday, while farmers said they wanted the government to come to them.
Polish farmers blocked eight major roads on Wednesday as part of their month-long campaign. Police said protests continued at border crossings to Ukraine in Medyka and Korczowa, but passenger traffic was smooth and some trucks were also being let through.
In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had discussed the situation with ministers and next steps would come quickly.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters