Polen has called for a NATO “peacekeeping mission” to support Ukraine in the war against Russia. “I think we need a peacekeeping mission from NATO or possibly a broader international structure,” the PAP news agency quoted Polish Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski as saying, who traveled to Kyiv with the heads of government of Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic on Tuesday. Meanwhile in Berlin, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) reiterated his no to a NATO military operation in Ukraine.
According to Poland’s ideas, a NATO mission should “act on Ukrainian territory” and provide “humanitarian and peaceful aid” with the “consent of the Ukrainian president”. However, it should be “protected by the armed forces” and “be able to defend itself,” said the leader of the ruling conservative party in Poland.
The visit of the three prime ministers was the first by foreign leaders to the besieged Ukrainian capital since the start of Russia’s war of aggression. The heads of government pledged solidarity and support to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the meeting. “Here, in war-torn Kyiv, history is being made,” said the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. “Here freedom fights against the world of tyranny. The future of all of us hangs in the balance here,” he said on Twitter.
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According to Ukrainian media reports, Selenskyj described the visit as a big and courageous step. At a time when many foreign embassies had left Ukraine because of the Russian invasion, “these leaders of independent European states” would show that they were not afraid. “They are here to support us. I’m sure that we can really win with friends like this, countries, neighbors and partners like this.”
The politicians from Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia traveled to Kyiv by train. According to a Polish government spokesman, the visit was made under the strictest secrecy in consultation with EU and NATO have been planned. The Ukrainian capital is repeatedly shelled. It was considered possible that the three politicians returned shortly after meeting Zelenskyy. Fiala announced a briefing at the Prague-Kbely military airfield for Wednesday morning.
NATO meeting and court decision
NATO is considering a significant and permanent reinforcement of the eastern flank after Russia’s attack on Ukraine. At a meeting of defense ministers on Wednesday, a discussion about the long-term strengthening of security in all areas should be started, explained Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
For the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine, an international court will rule on the attack. The highest court of the United Nations in The Hague will rule on Ukraine’s emergency lawsuit against the neighboring country on Wednesday.
The Council of Europe is preparing to exclude Russia because of the Ukraine war. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe voted to exclude Russia after an emergency session in Strasbourg on Tuesday evening. The Committee of Ministers intends to hold a special meeting this Wednesday to prepare for the exclusion.