Zelensky, Duda discuss defense of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia

KYIV. May 4 (Interfax-Ukraine) – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of Poland Andrzej Duda had a phone conversation during which they discussed defense assistance to Ukraine and further sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation, the press service of the President’s Office has reported.

"Volodymyr Zelensky briefed the President of Poland on resistance to the aggressor at the front, the tragic situation in Mariupol. The interlocutors discussed further defense assistance to Ukraine. The head of the Ukrainian state noted Poland’s significant contribution in this direction. The leaders paid special attention to the further growing and expanding sanctions pressure on Russia," the Office of the President said in a report published on its website on Tuesday.

Zelensky said during the conversation that "Russia has already started an energy war against Poland and all of Europe. The EU states must get rid of their energy dependence on the Russian Federation."

In addition, the President of Ukraine "informed his Polish colleague about the start of work on the post-war restoration of Ukraine."

Zelensky thanked the President of Poland "for the initiative to hold, together with the government of Sweden and the leadership of the European Commission, a high-level international donor conference for Ukraine, in which Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal will personally take part."

The head of state also invited the President of Poland to address the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.