Duda said in a social media message that "Ukraine's Independence Day has a particularly symbolic dimension today."
He added: "Russian aggression is a credibility test for the democratic states of the free world. If they help Ukraine defend itself and remain independent, freedom and international law will prevail. If Ukraine drowns…"
The Polish President's Office said in a post that Duda spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "on the occasion of Ukrainian Independence Day" and wished him "a just peace," while also "expressing the hope that next year Ukraine will celebrate this day again truly independent - free from Russian aggression."
Duda's office noted in the post that "Poland was the first European country to recognize Ukraine's independence 32 years ago."
'I’m sincerely grateful to the Polish people for all the support': Zelensky
In a post on the X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, Zelensky thanked Duda for his "warm wishes," saying that he was "sincerely grateful to the Polish people for all the support."
Zelensky said: "Always good to speak with Andrzej Duda. Thanks for warm wishes on our Independence Day. In 1991, Poland recognized our independence immediately after the referendum. It was a leader then and remains a leader now. I’m sincerely grateful to the Polish people for all the support."
'On Ukraine's Independence Day, I wish victory to its citizens': Polish FM
Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau took to X on Thursday to wish Ukrainians "victory ... in the fight against imperialistic evil."
He tweeted: "On Ukraine's Independence Day, I wish victory to its citizens, our neighbours and allies in the fight against imperialistic evil."
Rau added that "Poland was the first to recognise the independence of Ukraine and supported its struggle to defend freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity."
The Polish foreign ministry tweeted "congratulations and best wishes to the Ukrainian people" on their national holiday.
Ukraine's Zelensky on Thursday thanked his compatriots for defending the country against Russia's invasion, which began 18 months ago.
Thursday marks 32 years since Ukraine regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and also exactly 18 months since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
The Polish president on Wednesday reiterated his condemnation of Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea and other parts of Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, PAP, ukrinform.net
