Today, we are both fully aware of the need to be steadfast in the defense of Ukraine, to repel Russian aggression against this country, President Andrzej Duda stressed on Monday after his meeting with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili.
READ ALSO: Meeting of the Presidents of Poland and Georgia. Russian aggression against Ukraine. “Poland continues to support Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration”
The talks focused on the situation in the region, in particular Russian aggression against Ukraine.
At the post-meeting press conference, the president said the conversation was about security issues, but also about traditional Polish-Georgian ties and cooperation between Poland and Georgia.
Duda said he thanked Zurabishvili for her “absolutely unequivocal stance in the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine”.
From the very beginning, Madam President’s position has been unequivocal support for Ukraine in this very difficult situation
he stressed.
He argued that countries like Georgia, belonging to the community of states, some of which are occupied by Russia, should be together.
And here the attitude of the president deserves absolute respect
– He said.
President Duda noted that the attitude of the Georgian president is very important and shows how the leader of a country in our part of Europe “understands the threat to the Ukrainian state from Russian aggression”.
He expressed the hope that Zurabishvili’s attitude was also understood by Georgian society, as Georgians also fought to defend their territory against Russia, which the Poles remember well. In this context, the President also recalled the visit of the then President Lech Kaczyński, who at the time went to support Georgia and called on the leaders of Western countries to support this country.
The president emphasized that then the Russian aggression had become a fact.
And today both the president and I are fully aware that we must be steadfast in defending Ukraine, the Ukraine that President Lech Kaczyński was talking about then, that if we don’t stop the Russians attacking Georgia, Ukraine will be in the future will be attacked. This is what is happening today, and so that there will be no more wars, so that there will be no more aggression, this Russian aggression must be blocked by the international community, this aggression must be repelled, and today we must help the Ukrainians with all our power.
emphasized the president.
Georgia in NATO and the EU
Andrzej Duda assured that Poland supports Georgia on its way to the EU and NATO. He also drew attention to the need to repel the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
We support the activities of the international community. Russia must be defeated. This war must end so that the invasion can be repelled and the free world can help Ukraine defend itself
he said.
Poland supports Georgia and Georgian aspirations – we really want Georgia to be part of the EU and NATO
– added.
President of Georgia: We know what price Ukraine is paying
Georgia knows the price Ukraine pays for freedom and independence; Georgia paid such a price in 2008. We don’t have to worry about the well-being of Russia, but we should worry about the well-being of neighboring countries, said Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili.
Once again Russia showed its true face and its imperialist tendencies. For the 10th month we see a brutal and illegal war against Ukraine, against its independence and territorial integrity
– said the President of Georgia after the meeting with President Duda.
She stated that “during these 10 months, the Ukrainian people – not only soldiers, but also civilians – have shown what it means to defend their own country; they are fighting not only for their freedom but also for that of Georgia”.
Zurabishvili stressed that Ukraine is an example for Georgia of joint action and putting aside disputes.
Georgia knows the price that Ukraine pays for freedom and independence, because Georgia already paid this price in 2008
– she said. She added that there is unanimity in Georgia on the need to help Ukraine.
The President of Georgia also paid tribute to the Georgian volunteers who fought in Ukraine and supported the Ukrainian armed forces; she indicated that 33 of them died in the fighting.
This is a historic war; once we reach the end of it (…) it will be very important not to allow it to repeat itself so that the international community does not make the same mistakes that were made after the occupation of Crimea. Russia must know that it has no right to send its troops to another country; We are not concerned with the well-being of Russia, but with the well-being of neighboring countries
said Zurabishvili.
She also stressed that “Georgia has gained a European perspective.”
I am glad that the discussions on whether Georgia is Europe or not have been concluded
she said, stressing that Georgia is “still looking forward” to EU candidate status.
We need to get back to those conversations. I know that we can count on the support of our friend – Poland. We receive support for all our activities aimed at European integration; we know that Poland will continue to support us
she said, adding that 80 percent Georgians support European aspirations. Zurabishvili expressed her gratitude for the Polish support.
mly/PAP/Twitter
Source: wPolityce