We Are Working Hard to Develop Cooperation

Ukraine is now our 9th biggest export partner and the 15th biggest source of imports to Poland. No one expected such robust results in the early months of the war. These positive relations will provide long-term benefits and the cooperation will continue in the future with reconstruction projects, says Waldemar Buda, Minister for Economic Development and Technology

What are the key tasks for Poland in supporting Ukraine beyond military aid?

Since the beginning of the war, Poland has been the leading centre of assistance to Ukraine, including the Ukrainian people who have come to Poland and the Ukrainian public administration. Unfortunately, Russia continues its unjustified aggression against Ukraine. This is why our assistance is focused on responding to the current needs of our eastern neighbour, such as energy needs. We have sent 100 rail cars of equipment necessary to repair the damage to Ukraine’s energy sector. We are donating generators and continuing to supply fuel. We are providing humanitarian aid; for example, we are building container towns for internally displaced people in Ukraine. We are in constant communication with the Ukrainian authorities. Support in the international arena and at European Union level is crucial. Further supportive measures are being taken on Poland’s initiative and there are talks about imposing further sanctions on Russia. We are also in favour of EU solutions to confiscate frozen Russian assets. Poland has allocated significant resources to help Ukraine but the needs are so great that we are mobilising all countries to help. At the same time, we are preparing for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. The reconstruction of Ukraine after the destruction combined with additional needs to modernise the country and repair the economy may cost in total as much as USD 750 billion. This estimate is from last November while costs are rising all the time.