Duda: We support Ukraine "within limits of common sense"
Poland supports Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, but at the same time takes care of its own interests and security.
This was stated by Polish President Andrzej Duda in an interview with Polsat News, Censor.NET reports.
"We support Ukraine within the limits of common sense. We do it in the way that is necessary for Ukraine to defend itself, but we also take care of our interests and security," Duda said.
He regretted that "Ukraine's information space did not focus on the fact that the transit of Ukrainian grain through Poland has been going on all along".
"The transit, intended to ensure supplies to Africa and South America, continues and has doubled in the last two months. We do not want Ukrainian grain, which is harmful to the Polish market, to enter our territory, very often illegally, and be sold in Poland. This harms the interests of Polish farmers. We will protect Polish farmers, as it is the duty of the Polish authorities," Duda said.
Asked whether he had been in contact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since the heads of state spoke at the UN General Assembly in September, Duda said that "negotiations and relations between Poland and Ukraine are ongoing, they have not been suspended". He also expressed happiness that Ukraine had suspended its WTO complaint against the ban on Ukrainian grain imports, as the talks between Ukraine and Poland were "moving in the right direction".
Asked whether he plans to speak with Zelensky in the near future, Duda said that "when there is a need, there is always a conversation with President Zelensky, and it has never been a problem".
Asked why the Polish foreign minister did not attend the recent meeting of EU diplomats in Kyiv, the President of Poland noted that Warsaw was represented by Deputy Minister Wojciech Harwel, so Poland was represented at the meeting.
Asked why Polish defence companies did not participate in the recent defence industry forum in Kyiv, Duda noted that the Polish defence sector is currently implementing contracts previously signed with Ukraine. He clarified that these included the supply of Krab self-propelled artillery systems, Rosomak armoured personnel carriers, Grot automatic rifles, and Piorun man-portable air defence systems.
