The visit comes as both Ukraine and Moldova prepare to celebrate 30 years of independence from the Soviet Union, Duda's top foreign policy adviser, Jakub Kumoch, told reporters on Wednesday.
"But first and foremost," he said, Duda's trip is "an expression of Poland's support for the territorial integrity and pro-Western aspirations of both our partners."
The Polish head of state is scheduled to head to Kyiv on Sunday. The next day he will join a number of other heads of state and government, as well as representatives from international organisations, to discuss the situation in the Crimean Peninsula, which has been occupied by Russia since 2014.
Kumoch said the First Summit of the Crimean Platform international gathering is "an important part of building regional and international support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and of stressing that we won't accept any Russian activity in the occupied Crimea."
Talks with Ukraine's Zelensky
During his three-day trip to Kyiv, Duda is set to hold bilateral talks with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, with both countries "very close politically due to the general situation on the international scene," according to Kumoch.
Both Warsaw and Kyiv oppose the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which is nearing completion between Russia and Germany, in a project that threatens to reduce security in a large part of Europe, Kumoch said. He also listed the rapid advance of the Taliban in Afghanistan among international challenges.
Poland also "hopes for productive bilateral discussions on history and reconciliation" with Ukraine, "without which it is difficult to move forward," Kumoch told reporters.
While in Kyiv, Duda is expected to officially hand over a shipment of Polish humanitarian aid designed to help Ukraine battle the COVID-19 health crisis.
The aid is already travelling to Ukraine in a convoy of 20 trucks.
In addition, the Polish president is scheduled to meet with the presidents of the Baltic states and take part in a multilateral session of the Crimean Summit, according to Kumoch.
'Very concrete assistance' to Moldova
Shortly after that, on Thursday, August 26, Duda will start a two-day visit to Moldova.
He is set to hold talks with that country's new pro-Western President Maia Sandu, whose party "has won an unexpected and impressive electoral victory," Kumoch told reporters.
The Polish president is expected to "offer assurances" of "concrete Polish support," according to Kumoch.
He added that Duda's two-day trip to Moldova would reflect "the importance Poland attaches to the current situation" in that country.
Warsaw is ready to offer Chisinau "very concrete assistance" as Moldova seeks to build stable public institutions, eradicate corruption and adopt "a fully European course" in its foreign policy, Kumoch also said.
He added that the proposal was already being discussed "as neither Poland nor Europe should deny support to Moldova's ambitious, young team of reformers."
During his visits to Ukraine and Moldova, Duda will also hold meetings with the Polish diaspora and business communities in both these countries, Kumoch said.
While in Chisinau, the Polish president is additionally scheduled to meet with Moldova's top intellectuals, according to Kumoch.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP