Zbigniew Bogucki announced that Karol Nawrocki's conversation with Volodymyr Zelenski was to cover security, economy and unresolved historical matters. The head of the President's Chancellery stressed that Poland must not run distant from hard topics, and cooperation with Ukraine must respect the rule of reciprocity and the Polish state's right.
A concrete agenda alternatively of a courtesy
Prior to Karol Nawrocki's gathering with Volodymyr Zelenski, the head of the Chancellery of president Zbigniew Bogucki clearly defined the expectations of the Polish side. The talk at the Presidential Palace was to go beyond the diplomatic ceremony and cover 3 key areas: security, the economy and historical issues.
In a conversation in Radio 1 Bogucki indicated that peace and safety stay the most important. At the same time, he pointed out that for this reason it is not possible to postpone matters applicable to Polish memory and economical interests. It's the right hierarchy. Russia remains an aggressor and a threat to the full region, but support for the defending Ukraine does not mean abandoning Warsaw's subjective policy.
Poland needs concrete relations. The assistance given to a neighbour after the Russian assault was a decision consistent with our safety and moral work to the invaded nation. However, it cannot service as an excuse to silence Polish matters.
Historical memory is the work of the State
Bogacki said that Poland cannot run distant from hard topics. Among them are exhumations of victims of the Volyn crime and a wider dispute over historical memory. For the Polish nation the right of families to find remains of relatives, worthy of burial and fact about perpetrators is not an addition to the current policy. It is part of the continuity of the state and an simple work towards victims.
The head of the President's Chancellery noted that these issues may have a different weight in the public debate in Ukraine. This does not change the work of the Polish authorities. Warsaw has a work to talk with its own voice, calmly, consistently and without consent to the marginalisation of memory. Good vicinity built on silence would be fragile. Persistent reconciliation requires truth, respect, and real action.
It's not about transferring work for past crimes to modern Ukrainians. It is an interstate standard: victims must be buried decently, facts called, and the memory of genocide protected from relativisation. At the same time, Poland can support Ukraine against Russian imperialism and powerfully request resolution of historical matters. 1 doesn't invalidate the other.
Security and experience of the battlefield
Cooperation on fresh technologies was besides to be included in the agenda. Bogacki pointed out the experience gained by Ukraine in the field of combat and the anticipation of exchanging information and applicable cooperation. This is of direct importance to Poland. The war behind our east border shows the pace of change in the usage of drones, reconnaissance, communications and infrastructure protection.
Every agreement in this area must be assessed by the defence capabilities of the Republic. Poland cannot stay a passive recipient of another people's solutions. It should gain knowledge, make its own manufacture and strengthen the resilience of the state. Cooperation makes sense erstwhile it gives both parties tangible benefits and does not make unilateral dependence.
Mutuality as a measurement of partnership
Bogucki emphasized that Poland's alliance with Ukraine continues, but in relations it is essential to emphasize reciprocity more strongly. That's the word ordering the full debate. Partnership is not about unconditional acceptance of the expectations of the another party. It means respect for the security, memory, economy and social effort of both nations.
Poles suffered a crucial burden of aid, accepting refugees and supporting a state fighting Russian aggression. Ukraine pays for defending its independency with the blood of soldiers and suffering of civilians. The designation of both facts should lead to a mature policy, not to bid on harm or to issue Poland an account for its own solidarity.
Security of the Republic of Poland, protection of Polish economical interests and preservation of national dignity are at stake. Good relations with Kiev are needed Poland, but they must be relations of 2 subject states. Tough talk about disputes does not weaken the alliance towards Moscow. If it leads to concrete arrangements, it can make it fairer and more durable.
