U.S. Deputy Secretary of State: it's not by accident that I visit Poland first

United States Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma visited Warsaw on Monday (May 16). Among the main topics of his visit to Poland was strengthening of NATO eastern flank and support for Unites States' allies in Europe. The American politician also met with Ukrainian children.

"Well it’s, first of all, so inspiring to be here. We’re at the UNICEF facility that is taking care of children and family members who have had to flee Ukraine during this time of war and conflict. And what we’ve heard is that they were taken in here by the Polish people and by this great international organization, and as I’ve met the family members and then the children, and just seeing the range of activities they’re doing and the great collaboration and teaching that’s going on here, it’s a very inspiring and very hopeful place," Verma said.

He added that "in an incredibly difficult time that everyone has stood up to support these brave people from Ukraine, particularly the people of Poland".

"I just want to say on behalf of the United States and the State Department how grateful we are to the people of Poland for all they have done during that very, very difficult time. Economically, militarily, diplomatically, they’ve really been such leaders," he stressed.

Speaking on Polish-U.S. cooperation, the deputy secretary of state said "the heart of our relationship and those values are so critically important, and it's why we'e such great partners together". "It's the glue that hold us together," he added, referring to the transatlantic values shared by the two countries.

"I’ve been in this job as deputy secretary not for a long time. This is my first international trip, this the first country I have visited. That’s not by accident, that’s by design, to show our incredible commitment and future commitment to this country and to our partnership with Poland," Verma stressed.

On the day of the American politician's visit, Poland received the first batch of HIMARS rocket launchers from the United States. "That’s the kind of capability we’re talking about. The HIMARS has been a very effective platform in the war. We’re so glad to see the HIMARS here to give Poland that capability that’s so important and that’s just one example of many of our defence collaboration," U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma said.