Members of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU held an online meeting with the European Union Affairs Committee of the Polish Sejm on the priorities of Poland's presidency of the Council of the European Union and Ukraine's negotiation process. The meeting was also attended by the Chair of the Subcommittee on the Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to the Provisions of EU Law of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Maria Ionova, the Chair of the Subcommittee on the Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to the Provisions of EU Law of the Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, Maryna Nikitina, and the Chair of the Subcommittee on the Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to the Provisions of EU Law of the Committee on National Health, Medical Care and Health Insurance, Olga Stefanyshyna.

Agnieszka Dominika Pomaska, Chairwoman of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Polish Sejm, began the meeting by assuring Ukrainian colleagues that Polish MPs are united in their support for Ukraine. “Poland will be a leader and also a spokesperson for Ukrainian issues, as well as for all countries that aspire to join the European community. I emphasise that this is an element of security for Poland and the entire European Union,” said Agnieszka Dominika Pomaska. She noted that security is key during Poland’s presidency of the EU. This includes not only external security, but also internal security, information security, energy security, food security, and health security.

Chairwoman of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, thanked Polish colleagues for their constant support for Ukraine and their leadership and multi-party support from Polish MPs. She congratulated Poland on the start of its presidency of the Council of the EU. “We are optimistic and hopeful about the revival of cooperation and additional opportunities not only for Ukraine, but also for other candidate countries during the Polish presidency,” stated Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. She noted that the security situation in Ukraine is extremely difficult. Russian attacks do not stop and every day the Armed Forces of Ukraine have to counter attacks not only on the front line, but also throughout the territory of Ukraine. “We do understand what security is, what defence is, not in words, not in slogans, and we understand how critical energy, food, and information security are. And we are very glad that Poland is setting these things as priorities during the presidency,” emphasised the Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU. She is convinced that Russia's current war against Ukraine is not a war for territory, but a war for domination and a change in the world order. “In this time of uncertainty and a large number of challenges, we very much hope that your presidency will additionally help and move Ukraine on the path to membership in the European Union. We very much hope that the Fundamentals cluster will be opened during the Polish presidency. Moreover, we hope that the sixth cluster, which includes the Common Foreign and Security Policy, will also be opened during the Polish presidency. We very much hope that with your leadership position, it will also be possible to strengthen the sanctions pressure on the aggressor Russia and that the 16th package of sanctions will be approved during your presidency,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

Regarding the statements about potential negotiations with Russia to end the war, which are increasingly being spread in the media, the Chair of the Committee noted that she does not see any readiness from Russia to end the war. She also does not see any hint of readiness from the aggressor to respect international law. “I would like us to assess the intentions and goals of the Russian Federation very realistically and jointly confront them to prevent future security challenges for Ukraine, Poland and the entire European Union,” said the Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU. She noted that not only European, but also Euro-Atlantic integration is important for Ukraine: “We expect that Poland will continue to support our Euro-Atlantic integration.” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze also hopes that Ukraine and Poland will be able to find a solution to the complicated part of bilateral relations, connected with both historical heritage and new economic challenges that will arise during Ukraine’s progress towards EU membership. “I would like us to look at this as a win-win process. With a strong, powerful Ukraine as a member of the European Union, both Poland and the European Union will be more powerful in geopolitical and geo-economic dimensions,” emphasised the Committee Chair. She urged her Polish colleagues not to get used to or get tired of the existential war in Ukraine. If Ukraine does not stand up, Poland has no chance of avoiding an attack by the Russian Federation. “If we together defeat the Russian Federation and Ukraine becomes part of the European and Euro-Atlantic community — then we will be able to ensure together a long-term and sustainable peace in the region and, I am convinced, to give a serious impetus to this peace in different corners of the planet,” stated Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Vadym Halaichuk also thanked Poland and Polish colleagues for their long-term support. He stressed the importance of the Polish presidency in the EU for Ukraine. “It is essential for us that we see common positions, we see common priorities and a common goal to make the Polish presidency as effective as possible in terms of improving cooperation between Ukraine and Poland and increasing the opportunities that open up for Ukraine’s European integration in general,” said Vadym Halaichuk. He noted that for Ukraine, it is crucial to open negotiations with the EU in various clusters. Ukraine has already done a lot, and the European Commission’s report admitted Ukraine’s success. “We hope that during the Polish presidency we will open the first cluster and, perhaps also, based on the latest news from the European Commission, other clusters as well,” said Vadym Halaichuk. According to him, security issues are a strategic common interest of both Ukraine and the European Union.

Deputy Chair of the Committee Maria Mezentseva-Fedorenko addressed her Polish colleagues in Polish. She emphasised that it is crucial to have a common position and joint actions for Poland’s leadership in the European Union. She also noted that it is necessary to act in the interest of common European security and defence. Maria Mezentseva-Fedorenko thanked for the resolutions of both the Senate and the Sejm of Poland regarding Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia and Belarus. “Thank you very much for these decisions, for the joint work on creating a special tribunal for the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine... Thank you for the joint work in the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and the EU,” concluded the Deputy Chair of the Committee.