New Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski's first trip abroad took him to Kiev. He called for more arms efforts by the West. Controversial topics such as truck blockades in Poland were also addressed.
Poland and Ukraine committed to close cooperation: after the change of government in Warsaw, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski's first trip abroad was to Kiev. He assured the beleaguered neighboring state of support in the war against Russia.
“In this huge battle, Mr Minister, Poland is on your side,” Sikorski told his Ukrainian colleague Dmytro Kuleba. During the meeting, overhead alarms sounded as a warning about possible Russian attacks. “I believe that this is the last colonial war in Europe and that it should end like this: Russia should lose and Ukraine should win,” Sikorski made clear.
Sikorski calls for more efforts from the West
He also called for more efforts from Western countries. “If the West mobilizes, I have no doubt who will win, but it has to finally start mobilizing,” Sikorski said. Western economies are “20 times richer than Russia” – but Moscow “has switched its economy to war mode”.
Ukraine's supporters cannot allow Russia to produce more despite its smaller economy. “As wars are not won through tactical battles, wars are won through production.”
Talk about truck blockades at the border
Poland and Ukraine are close allies, although there was an increase in tensions between Warsaw and Kiev under the previous right-wing nationalist government. Recently, there was a dispute over Ukrainian cereal exports and the activities of Ukrainian transport companies in Poland, which led to a blockade of border crossings between the two countries by Polish truck drivers. Polish freight forwarders complain of “unfair competition” from Ukrainian companies after the EU suspended a series of requirements for border transport due to Russia's war of aggression.
Kuleba expressed the hope that the “unacceptable” blockade of Polish transport companies at the common border will come to an end. Polish Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Pawel Gancarz said Poland expects a solution before Christmas or the end of the year.
Zelensky suggests arms cooperation
The two governments also apparently talked about more intense bilateral cooperation. “We discussed very serious possibilities for further joint work,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening video address. “This especially applies to joint weapons production.” He did not give details.
The war in Ukraine is an artillery war – that's why both sides are fighting for a secure supply of ammunition.
Russia is attacking in several areas
According to many Western military experts, Russia has once again seized the initiative at the front. Attacks are mainly reported in the Kupiansk, Bakhmut and Avdiivka areas. Russian military bloggers report minor advances and gains in territory, which are geolocated and confirmed by experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
A few days ago, the Ukrainian army had to admit that the military situation in the northeast of the country was “complicated”. Russian troops are “superior” in terms of weapons and personnel in the region around the city of Kupiansk, Ukrainian army commander Oleksandr Syrsky said on the Telegram online service.
Shocked: territories occupied by Russia
Drones attack Odessa
At the same time, Russia continues to try to weaken Ukraine's economy. At night, the port city of Odessa was attacked by Russian drones. Several waves of explosive-laden missiles flew over the Black Sea and residents of the city and surrounding areas were asked to seek shelter.
As a major port city, Odessa is crucial for Ukrainian exports – for example cereals and cooking oil. Despite Russian attacks and threats against civilian shipping, the port continues to operate.
Romania is expanding the Danube
Around 60% of Ukrainian wheat exports currently pass through Romania. From the small Ukrainian Danube ports of Reni and Izmail, ships head to the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta, sailing first on the Danube and then through the Sulina branch or through the Cernavoda canal towards the sea.
The Sulina branch is the main central branch of the Danube in its delta at the mouth of the Black Sea. Of the three main branches, Sulina is the straightest because it has been repeatedly dredged for more than 100 years. To improve traffic, Romania recently expanded the Sulina branch. It is now also navigable at night, the Lower Danube Administration announced. Illuminated buoys were provided in the water and on the banks. 18 additional pilots and a modern digital navigation system were also made available.