During a press conference, Tusk referred to a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that proposed a meeting of the two countries’ governments on a common border, before Saturday’s second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The prime minister assured that he understands the situation and emotions on the Ukrainian side. “We show full solidarity and understanding here, but we are looking for actual solutions, not just demonstrations of our friendship and solidarity. That’s why we agreed, already in Kyiv, that we will recreate this format when the Polish and Ukrainian governments could meet all together,” he pointed out.

“I have agreed with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, with the knowledge of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, that the meeting between the two governments will take place in Warsaw on March 28. I hope that by then the technical talks at the level of ministers, deputy ministers will have led to the moment when this meeting will be very useful in terms of the issues of the border and our mutual trade,” the Polish PM stressed.

Border crossings with Ukraine to be classed as critical infrastructure

Tusk also announced that Poland’s road and rail border crossings with Ukraine will be reclassified as critical infrastructure, making it easier for military and humanitarian aid to reach Ukraine without delays.

He said that ensuring the full capacity of border crossings for military and humanitarian aid was a task the government takes seriously.

The border crossings have been subjected to blockades by protesting Polish farmers and road hauliers, which have put a strain on Polish-Ukrainian relations. Similar protests could have recently been observed in other Central European states affected by the inflow of cheap agricultural products from Ukraine, such as Slovakia and the Czech Republic.