Ukrainian sources informed AFP on Friday that Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland’s newly appointed foreign minister, has arrived in Kyiv for his inaugural trip abroad. This visit symbolizes the new Polish government’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, aiming to mend recent tensions that surfaced during the previous governing party’s tenure.
A senior Ukrainian government official confirmed the trip after Sikorski posted an image on social media apparently from the center of Kyiv, saying: “First visit abroad; Already on the spot.”
Poland has been one of Ukraine’s staunchest allies since Russia invaded in February 2022.
But ahead of Polish elections in October, the then-governing Law and Justice party had lobbied for votes by leveraging fatigue over the conflict.
The government became embroiled in a row with Ukraine over grain exports, and had said it would restrict arms deliveries to Kyiv.
But the new administration led by former European Council president Donald Tusk pledged to double down on support for Ukraine.
He vowed to resolve the month-long blockade at the Ukraine border by Polish hauliers, who are demanding the reintroduction of restrictions for their Ukrainian competitors.
Sikorski is expected to focus on the blockade in meetings with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv.
“The talks will aim to find a solution to the problem of the excessive influx of agricultural products into the EU, and Poland in particular,” Polish Agriculture Czeslaw Siekierski told the PAP news agency.
Sikorski has previously said supporting Ukraine would be a “priority” for the new administration.