The presidents of Poland and Lithuania, Andrzej Duda and Ingrida Shimonyte, traveled to Ukraine this Saturday to accompany their Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, in commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the country’s independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
“Poland has supported, supports and will continue to support Ukraine in its just struggle until its victorious end” in the fight against Russia, said Duda, the leader of the first country to recognise Ukrainian independence in 1991.
“The fact that Ukraine is shedding blood today for freedom and sovereignty, and has not chosen to live in the shadow of the Kremlin’s imperial policy, has its roots in our common history. I am deeply convinced of this,” Duda added in statements published by his office.
The Lithuanian president has confirmed that her country will deliver to Ukraine in September a new package of short-range air defence systems and missiles, as well as anti-drone instruments, weapons, ammunition and equipment.
“In late autumn, we will also deliver 5,000 drones manufactured in Lithuania and provide 35 million euros to facilitate demining operations,” he said.