Zelenskyy wants to “remove the pressure of the past” from relations with neighbours who are not aggressors
Kateryna Tyshchenko - Sunday, 22 May 2022, 23:27
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes it is necessary to remove the pressure of the past from Ukraine's relations with all neighbouring countries that are not aggressors.
Source: Presidential video address
Quote: "We must resolve disputes and remove the pressure of the past from our current relations with all Ukraine's neighbours who respect us and are not occupiers of our state."
Details: Zelenskyy referred to the preparation of a bill that will mirror the law passed in Poland for Ukrainians, according to which Ukrainians fleeing the war are granted the same opportunities in Poland as Poles.
"And it will be the right gesture to pass such a law in Ukraine. May the citizens of Poland never have to use such a law. But let us show our gratitude and our respect," the President said.
He also noted that he signed a decree on the introduction of a new Ukraine "Rescuer City" award to thank those cities of partner countries that have helped the most. Polish city Rzeszów became the first city awarded with this title.
In addition, Zelenskyy mentioned the introduction of joint customs control with Poland, which is planned.
"This will significantly speed up border procedures. We are removing most of the corruption risks. But it is also the beginning of our integration into the common customs area of the European Union. That is a truly historical process," the President believes.
Background: Polish President Andrzej Duda visited Ukraine. On Sunday (May 22), he addressed the Verkhovna Rada [Ukrainian Parliament].
At the same meeting, Zelenskyy reported that he had signed a decree conferring the title "Rescuer City" on the Polish city of Rzeszów. He also announced an agreement with Poland on a bilateral treaty to simplify border crossings between the two countries. Zelenskyy also promised to submit a bill on the special status of Poles in Ukraine to Parliament.
In addition, in his speech to the Verkhovna Rada, Zelenskyy said that Russia's full-scale invasion had unintentionally moved Ukraine and Poland to forget disputes over their shared past.
