Iryna Vereshchuk made the remark in an interview published on Monday by Poland’s Rzeczpospolita newspaper.
Vereshchuk was asked if Ukraine had “made a mistake” in communication with its "key European ally Poland," resulting in “a cooling off of relations.”
Last month, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in a social media post mentioned Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and Poland’s policy of “blocking the export of Ukrainian grain to the European Union.”
'Ukraine has a lot to thank Poland for'
Vereshchuk was quoted as saying in the interview on Monday that “Ukraine has a lot to thank Poland for.”
Vereshchuk said: “Let’s not forget the role of Poland and the Polish people, especially in the first days of the war. I don’t need to be told about this, I saw it with my own eyes.”
The deputy prime minister, who is also minister for Ukraine’s Russian-occupied territories, told Rzeczpospolita: “I was involved with the evacuation and I saw how Poland extended a hand to us. This will remain in our memory for a long time and become part of our shared history.”
‘Poland, Ukraine must face up to Russia together’
Vereshchuk cautioned: “The Russians are seeking to divide us. For years their empire has aimed to sow discord between Poles and Ukrainians.”
She added: “I am a passionate supporter of a Polish-Ukrainian geopolitical alliance. If it came to pass, the existence of the Russian empire would not be possible.”
Ukraine’s deputy prime minister acknowledged that Warsaw and Kyiv “have topics that need to be discussed, such as remembrance of history and the grain issue.”
She stressed, however, that priority must be given to “our security and the threat from Russia,” including “the presence of Russia’s Wagner Group mercenaries on EU borders.”
Vereshchuk concluded: “Together we must face up to Russia. We’ll deal with the rest later.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Monday is day 544 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, Rzeczpospolita