Polish president meets Sunak at Downing Street to discuss Ukraine

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has met with the president of Poland in Downing Street with talks on European security and support for Ukraine high on the agenda.

The visit comes after Nato defence ministers met in Brussels earlier this week, and ahead of the Munich Security Conference this weekend.

Mr Duda was reported to have expressed expectations for updated security plans for Nato’s eastern flank when speaking at the organisation’s headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with President Andrzej Duda in 10 Downing Street
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with President Andrzej Duda in 10 Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Both the UK and Poland have pledged to provide Ukraine with tanks, but when it comes to jets there has been greater hesitancy. Mr Duda has previously suggested it would be difficult for his nation because they do not have many jets of their own.

Andrzej Duda arrives for at 10 Downing Street
Mr Duda arrives at 10 Downing Street (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

“And I know we’ll talk about that later today – what more we can both do to ensure that Ukraine wins this conflict, particularly in the run up to the Munich Security Conference this weekend.

“But also pleased that we were recently able to announce the extension of our Sky Sabre air defence system to Poland, just demonstrating our commitment to the European continent’s security.”

Mr Duda speaking to the media
Mr Duda said he was on a ‘diplomatic offensive’ (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

Mr Sunak said that in addition to defence matters, he hoped they could speak about the “great partnership between our two countries on trade, on energy security, and make sure that we continue to deepen our partnership and friendship”.

Mr Duda thanked Mr Sunak for “your very, very, very clear support for Ukraine” and for supporting Polish security.

A readout of the meeting provided by Downing Street said the two leaders “both agreed it was important that support to Ukraine was accelerated in the coming weeks”.

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