The two pioneering first ladies, Agata Kornhauser-Duda of Poland and Olena Zelenska of Ukraine, met on Tuesday to review ongoing joint projects and the broader plan for people-focused collaboration between the two nations. The discussion, captured in a briefing from the President’s Chancellery, highlighted the intention to expand humanitarian initiatives and strengthen medical and social support across borders.
Also present were the Ukrainian ambassador to Poland, Wasyl Zwarycz, and Jacek Siewiera, head of Poland’s National Security Bureau. The gathering underscored the shared commitment to practical, people-centered programs that address urgent needs within Ukraine while reinforcing bilateral ties.
A notable outcome of the talks is the launch of a cross-border program aimed at exchanging clinical experience between Polish and Ukrainian medical professionals. In this exchange, ninety Ukrainian doctors and other medical personnel in Poland will receive training in medical evacuation by air and comprehensive care for burn patients. This initiative is designed to transfer expertise and strengthen emergency medical response for patients in challenging settings.
According to the briefing, Kornhauser-Duda revisited the ongoing training series initiated last year by the Polish Medical Air Rescue, the Eastern Burn Treatment and Reconstructive Surgery Center in Łęczna, and the Medical Simulation Center at the Medical University of Lublin. The current phase is nearing completion, with expectations that the accumulated knowledge will enable Ukrainian specialists to deliver enhanced care and improve patient outcomes.
In discussing the year-long program, the Polish first lady emphasized the practical value of the training and the hope that its impact will be felt across Ukraine’s healthcare system. The Ukrainian counterpart expressed gratitude for the cooperation, noting that the collaboration is producing tangible results. She remarked on the high quality of the training and the openness of Polish colleagues, which have contributed to the program’s effectiveness.
Referring to Ukraine’s efforts to standardize medical services, Zelenska stated that Polish-Ukrainian cooperation among medical teams offers a pathway to develop joint protocols. Such protocols are crucial as Ukraine progresses toward deeper European integration. The partners also explored plans to organize additional training focused on rehabilitation, stress management, and psychotraumatology, with a shared willingness to extend collaboration to volunteer fire brigades as well.
Minister Siewiera described the Polish medical and civil defense community as one of the nation’s most active environments, noting how its work saves lives and strengthens civic engagement, especially in smaller towns. The Ukrainian first lady noted that the process of building similar structures in Ukraine mirrors a long-standing model in Poland, and she highlighted the value of Polish experience as Ukraine develops its own expanded framework for public service and emergency readiness.
During the discussion, the spouses also addressed the plight of Ukrainian orphans residing in Poland. Kornhauser-Duda drew attention to the differing systemic approaches in the two countries and urged continued advocacy for aligning orphan care with Polish and EU standards while seeking support from European institutions and child welfare bodies to ensure consistent care across borders.
Zelenska conveyed that Ukraine has managed to recover hundreds of children who had been abducted deep within Russia, though she described the overall situation as still critical and unacceptable. The two leaders agreed that solving this grave issue requires international action. Zelenska thanked partners for the initiative to trace missing children and hold those responsible accountable, and the plan to implement the broader project was outlined as a joint effort led by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with backing from UN agencies.
In its concluding remarks, the office of the Polish president signaled a commitment to continuing this line of cooperation, with the partnerships serving as a bridge between humanitarian aims and policy-level support. The discussion reflected a shared belief that sustained collaboration can deliver meaningful improvements for the people affected by the ongoing conflict and displacement in the region.
Notes: Coverage of the meeting emphasizes bilateral solidarity across humanitarian, medical, and child welfare domains. The tone remains focused on practical outcomes and ongoing coordination with international partners. [Source: wPolityce]