"Ukrainian hearts beat to one freedom, common independence, for our common Europe, our common home," Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his address at the Castle Square in Warsaw. He also stressed that Russia would not defeat Europe as long as Poland and Ukraine stand together. Speaking before Zelenskiy, President Andrzej Duda said Russia must be punished for the war crime committed i Ukraine. "It is a long way until this war is over, Ukraine needs support, it needs further deliveries of modern weapons," he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said during a trip to Warsaw on Wednesday that Poland would help form a coalition of Western powers to supply warplanes to Ukraine, as it did with battle tanks earlier this year.
"Thank you very much. Glory to Ukraine! Hello Warsaw, hello Poland! Great Polish nation, a great Ukrainian nation. Here, shoulder to shoulder, united on this square by the spirit of freedom, of a great history and of a glorious victory, which we bring closer together," he said.
"Just as your (Polish) leadership proved itself in the tank coalition, I believe that it will manifest itself in the planes coalition," Zelenskiy said in a speech on a square in Warsaw.
The Ukrainian leader said Russia would not defeat Europe while Ukraine and Poland were working closely together.
"We just need not stop in solidarity. When the battle requires artillery, it should be provided. When victory requires tanks, their roar should be heard on the frontline. When independence requires air (forces) we should not pay attention to how Russia will react to aircraft in our country," he added.
"We shouldn't think about which number looks safer next to the letter F - 16 or some other. It is worth acting. Acting in the same way as your leadership has proved itself in the tank coalition, and I believe it will also prove itself in the aviation coalition because this is a battle for freedom. And it is impossible to win it partially," the Ukrainian leader said.
Duda: war criminals must be punished
Speaking before Zelenskiy, his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda said Russia had committed war crimes in Ukraine which must be punished.
"The way Ukrainian society acts arouses admiration. They are united, determined to defend their country. They support their fighters every day and could not be intimidated even though the targets of attacks are civilian facilities, residential houses being bombarded, energy infrastructure, communication (infrastructure), hospitals, kindergartens, schools," Duda said.
"These are crimes, war crimes that must be brought to justice and the criminals must be punished."
"It is a long way until this war is over, Ukraine needs support, it needs further deliveries of modern weapons. Poland was and is one of the leaders in this support," Polish president said.
"We set the example to other countries"
"We know very well that who defends its house, who defends its nation, who defends its cities and villages, who defends its citizens need immediate help. There is no time for waiting," Duda urged.
"We set the example to other countries. We often also break their stubbornness and resistance when it comes to weapon deliveries (to Ukraine). We know today you fight not only for your own independence but also for the security of the whole of Europe.
Ukraine, which hopes to launch a counteroffensive in the coming weeks or months, wants to secure advanced fighter jets such as the U.S. F-16 from the West to help fight back Russian invaders and defend itself from air strikes.
Warsaw is a close ally of Kyiv and helped galvanize support in the West to supply main battle tanks to Ukraine as part of a coalition of powers, a move that initially hit a diplomatic impasse that was then overcome.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters