Last year, a historic visit saw the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia, together with former Polish Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński, travel to Kyiv at a moment when the city endured heavy shelling by Russian forces. This gathering marked the first outward show of heads of state backing Ukraine since the war began, and it occurred in a context of heightened security concerns that required meticulous planning. The recollection comes from Michał Dworczyk, a PiS politician who led the preparation as head of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, speaking in an interview for a prominent Polish political outlet.
Overcoming the fear that paralyzes Europe
Dworczyk describes the mission as exceptional for its power to dispel the fear that had begun to grip Europe in the early days of Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine. It sent a clear message: several European governments would stand with Ukraine and do whatever was necessary to help Kyiv defend itself against external aggression. The visit, he notes, served both as a direct show of support for Ukraine and as a strategic signal to Western European partners who were navigating their own political crossroads during that period.
According to Dworczyk, the act of standing with Ukraine in Kyiv communicated a durable commitment to Ukrainian resilience and a willingness to confront insecurity at the heart of Europe. It underscored the belief that European security is inseparable from the ability of a sovereign nation to defend itself against international threats.
The statement reflects a broader sentiment that emerged in those weeks: solidarity in defense matters could no longer be treated as optional or rhetorical. It needed to translate into concrete decisions and sustained political courage among allied governments. Dworczyk emphasizes that the visit was as much about signaling a shared responsibility as it was about the personal bravery of the leaders involved.
Courage of Prime Ministers
As part of the security-driven logistics, Dworczyk was among a select group coordinating the trip. He does not mask the risk involved. The personal audacity of Prime Ministers Kaczyński and Morawiecki, along with those who accompanied them, was, in his words, admirable. More importantly, he adds, the bravery of the Ukrainian people themselves was elevated by such acts of international solidarity.
He recalls a frank exchange between President Kaczyński and Prime Minister Morawiecki just before departure. When asked about personal safety, both leaders acknowledged that certain duties surpass concerns for individual security. In those moments, they believed that protecting the homeland and upholding national obligations outweighed potential risks.
Billboards and citylights with thanks
The ripple effects of the visit continued to ride the public imagination. A few days after the trip, Kiev lit up with billboards and city banners bearing messages of gratitude and portraits of the visiting leaders. Dworczyk notes that public memory can be fleeting, but at the time, the gesture was widely recognized as a bold form of international support that inspired admiration around the world.
He suggests that today’s many delegations to Kyiv are a testament to a changed political calculus in Europe, where solidarity is often easier to declare than to enact. The Kyiv display of appreciation is a reminder of a moment when shared values translated into visible acts of support and moral resolve.
Professionalism of the services
Reflecting on the organizational side, Dworczyk emphasizes that the visit was conducted with extraordinary professionalism. Despite tight timelines, the planning remained thorough and coordinated. He attributes the success to the dedication of the security services, special forces operators, and the broader network of officers who contributed to the mission from inception to completion. Their work, he notes, ensured that the mission could proceed with minimal disruption and maximum impact.
The minister’s assessment highlights how high-stakes diplomacy benefits from meticulous execution on the ground. The success of this visit is framed not only by the political statements it produced but also by the smooth, professional delivery of complex operations under challenging conditions.
Note: this account is drawn from a focused interview with the organizer and reflects their perspective on the event and its consequences for European security and policy alignment.