A formal reception was held in Kyiv to mark the Independence Day of the Republic of Poland, during which the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Ukraine, Piotr Lukashevich, gave a speech on the importance of independence, national unity, and solidarity with Ukraine.
In his address, Ambassador Łukaszewicz emphasized that this holiday is not only the most important national day for Poles, but also a profound reminder of the path that Poland has traveled and continues to build. He stressed that Poles honor the generations who dreamed, fought, and ultimately restored the sovereign Polish state.
The ambassador recalled the words of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who said this year in Gdańsk: “Niepodległość to wspólna sprawa” (Independence is a common cause). “It is not only a personal achievement, but a shared responsibility, res publica. We celebrate the miracle of unity, when, after many years of division, Poles from different regions and with different views united and rebuilt their state,” the diplomat said.
He stressed that Poland’s greatest triumphs were never the result of unanimity, but rather the result of solidarity. According to the ambassador, patriotism does not mean pitting one Pole against another, but rather unity and the joint construction of something greater.
Drawing parallels with Polish history, Lukaszewicz said that Poles’ thoughts naturally turn to the Ukrainian people, who are now fighting for the same thing that Poles fought for not so long ago: the right to live in freedom, dignity, and sovereignty.
The ambassador emphasized that today Poland is a strong and free state, a modern democratic country, an active member of the EU and NATO, and a stable partner in a changing world. He mentioned Poland’s economic achievements, as well as the launch of the first Polish military satellite, emphasizing that the country’s strength comes not only from economic or political successes, but above all from the unity of society and the willingness of each generation to take responsibility.
Lukasevich noted that independence does not exist in isolation and that freedom in the modern world is interdependent, so the security of one nation strengthens the security of all.
He commented separately on the recent attack on the Polish railway, which Warsaw considers an act of sabotage. According to him, Poland is well aware of terrorists and opponents, and these threats will not break its resolve.
At the same time, the ambassador thanked Poland’s allies and partners, in particular Ukraine, NATO and EU countries, as well as states whose military contingents are stationed on Polish territory. “You are with us, and we are with you,” he said.
Poland was the first country in the world to recognize Ukraine’s independence on December 2, 1991. Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland were established on January 4, 1992, after which the Polish Embassy in Kyiv and the Ukrainian Embassy in Warsaw began operating in 1992.
