Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratiuk had a telephone conversation with Vice-Marshal of the Polish Sejm Monika Wielichowska. They are also co-chairs of the Parliamentary Assembly of Ukraine and Poland.
The parties discussed the unprecedented act of russian aggression against Poland and its sovereignty. As noted, for the first time, the armed forces of Poland, as a NATO country, used weapons against russian drones. Several of them were shot down.
According to the Vice Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, this was a deliberate action by the kremlin to test the reaction and readiness of Poland and NATO to effectively counter such threats.
"Poland should seriously prepare for a repeat of russian drone attacks. If on 10 September 19 russian drones invaded Polish airspace, tomorrow there could be 100. This is just the beginning," said Olena Kondratiuk.
The Vice-Speaker stressed that this act of aggression requires a response of strengthening the unity of the EU and NATO countries and strengthening air defence systems for both Poland and Ukraine.
"I called on Poland to prepare its civil defence, warning systems and shelters for possible repeated attacks by russian drones. It is quite clear to me that russia will not stop there," said Olena Kondratiuk.
Ukraine is also ready to share its unique experience in countering russian drones with Poland.
"In Ukraine we face attacks by hundreds of russian drones almost every day. One of the most recent record-breaking attacks involved more than 800 drones. 90% of them were shot down or suppressed by air defence forces. Ukraine has vast and unique combat experience in effectively fighting russian drones. We are ready to share this experience with our Polish partners," emphasised Olena Kondratiuk.
The participants discussed the importance of counteracting russian agents of influence, propaganda and disinformation, which became more active in Poland on the day of the drone invasion and massively spread anti-Ukrainian narratives. "The activities of russian agent networks within Poland itself must be detected and severely suppressed," said Olena Kondratiuk.
The Vice-Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada also thanked the members of the Polish Sejm for their support of the internally displaced Ukrainians. According to her, the attempts of some political forces, in particular the Confederation, to block the consideration of the government's draft law on the extension of assistance to Ukrainian refugees have failed.
"We expect the government's version of the law to be voted on and submitted to the Senate in the near future. Ukrainians in Poland are law-abiding, active in the labour market, pay taxes and contribute to the growth of the Polish economy. They deserve our support!" said Olena Kondratiuk.
The Vice Speaker also called for strengthening interparliamentary relations between Ukraine and Poland.
"I had a good meeting and conversation with the Marshal of the Senate of Poland, Malgorzata Kidawa-Bląska, in Puzhnyky, Ternopil region. We must continue to demonstrate to our people the constructive dialogue and cooperation between the Verkhovna Rada, the Sejm and the Senate. We also discussed preparations for the next meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of Ukraine and Poland," said Olena Kondratiuk.
https://www.rada.gov.ua/news/Top-novyna/265939.html