Ukraine's Ambassador: Poland remains key ally amid war with Russia

Poland was the first to help

"Without Poland, there would've been no first wave of military aid after the full-scale invasion," said Bodnar in response to whether it is still fair to call Poland our loyal, reliable ally, advocate in Europe, in the Western world.

He emphasized that it was Poland that first opened its borders to millions of Ukrainians who were seeking safety.

According to him, with all due respect to other neighbors, it was Poland that did the most to receive refugees and organize critically important transit.

Poland is critically important for the security of the rear

The ambassador emphasized that Poland plays a crucial role in ensuring Ukraine’s security.

He adds that without Poland, Ukraine would always have a vulnerable rear, given its geography and proximity to Russia and Belarus.

Bodnar emphasized the geographical risks from the northern direction: Russia’s Kaliningrad region and Belarus, which is under Moscow’s control. In such a situation, only a strong Poland can guarantee the security of the western direction.

Threat from Russia is a shared understanding

The diplomat is convinced that, despite internal challenges, Poland understands what danger Russia poses.

"And I believe there is a consensus in Polish society that Russia is the greatest threat to Europe," the ambassador said.

In his opinion, the alliance between Ukraine and Poland is based not only on political decisions but also on a deep understanding of the common threat.

"It is in our interest that our western flank is secured by a reliable ally — one that may have its own internal challenges, but fully understands the higher-order threat posed by the Russian Federation," the ambassador said.

Previously, as of the end of 2024, there were 985 thousand Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

The attitude of Ukrainians toward Poland worsened after the blockade of the Ukrainian border by Polish farmers in 2023.