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Polish, Baltic FMs discuss stepped-up military aid for Ukraine

29.04.2022 14:00
The Polish and Baltic foreign ministers have discussed efforts to step up military aid to Ukraine amid Russia's new offensive in the eastern Donbas region, according to officials.
Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau speaks at a joint news conference with his Baltic counterparts in Riga, Latvia on Friday, April 29, 2022.
Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau speaks at a joint news conference with his Baltic counterparts in Riga, Latvia on Friday, April 29, 2022.Photo: EPA/TOMS KALNINS

Poland's Zbigniew Rau and his Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian counterparts on Friday talked about the "current situation in Ukraine, including opportunities to intensify joint efforts to support Ukraine" amid Russia's war, the Polish foreign ministry said.

It quoted Rau as saying after the talks that "it is critical that Ukraine receives as much support as possible, including military assistance."

Rau added: "Poland is doing its share and so are Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. However, in this unequal fight Ukraine needs more help."

Rau also said after his meeting with Latvia's Edgars Rinkēvičs, Lithuania's Gabrielius Landsbergis and Estonia's Eva-Maria Liimets that "the next few weeks may be decisive in Ukraine's fight against Russia," Polish state news agency PAP reported.

He told reporters: "We must support their heroic fight for freedom."

He added that "the international community should urgently respond to Kyiv's appeals to speed up the supply of heavy weapons needed to repel the Russians."

Poland has delivered more than 200 battle tanks to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russian aggression, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported on Friday, citing government sources it did not name.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Poland has supported its embattled eastern neighbour with around PLN 7 billion (EUR 1.5 billion) worth of military aid, President Andrzej Duda confirmed earlier this week.

US President Joe Biden on Thursday asked Congress to approve an additional USD 33 billion in military, economic and humanitarian assistance to help Ukraine fend off Vladimir Putin’s invasion. 

(gs)

Source: PAP