Following the meeting in Kyiv, Presidents of Ukraine and Poland stated the necessity of continuation of sanctions against Russia for the non-fulfillment of the Minsk agreements.

In the press statement, President Poroshenko expressed gratitude to Poland for the firm support for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. He informed that special attention had been paid to the situation in the east of Ukraine and coordination of actions on the non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea. “We are content with the resolute position of our Polish partner,” Petro Poroshenko emphasized.

The Head of State informed that President Duda had reaffirmed the position of Warsaw in support of the prolongation of sanctions against Russia for illegal occupation of Crimea and non-implementation of the Minsk agreements. “I am really hopeful that the given decision would be adopted at the coming session of the European Council. I was pleased to hear the firm position of Poland on this issue,” Petro Poroshenko said.

“I am confident that we must stop the shameful policy of Russia – repressions based on political and ideological grounds against Crimean Tatars in Crimea and representatives of Ukrainian community that are persecuted just for being Ukrainians,” the President of Ukraine noted.

According to the Head of State, “it is high time to initiate the international mechanism for de-occupation and de-militarization of Crimea – prevention of transformation of the Ukrainian peninsula into the Russian military base”.

In his turn, President of Poland Andrzej Duda emphasized: “We closely monitor the implementation of the Minsk agreements. It is absolutely clear that the first step towards peace in Ukraine is full implementation of the Minsk agreements. We must make every effort for this end. As of today, noting indicates that they will have been fulfilled by December 31, 2015. We believe that the policy of sanctions should be continued. The world shouldn’t abandon this policy. Sanctions will be continued. Our position is unequivocal”.

The President of Poland noted that his country would uphold peaceful aspirations of Ukraine: “Ukraine wants to regain control over its borders. Ukraine wants to be sovereign and independent on its territory. We will definitely support the position of Ukraine. It is unambiguous and clear in terms of the strategic security of Poland and Europe as a whole,” he said.