A contingent of Polish policemen returned to the country on Thursday after five months secretly working in Ukraine to help Ukrainian operatives clear mines and neutralize explosives planted by Russian troops.
The policemen, who were in Ukraine at the request of the kyiv authorities, were received by the President of Poland.
Andrzej Duda gave a welcome speech and stressed that the mission presented a triple risk due to the danger of the explosives, their “intentional placement” by Russia and the fact that the operation took place in a war zone.
“It was a beautiful gesture from Poland, made with her hands, with her dedication to the service of others. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that, because I deeply believe, and I know it, that people will never forget your service there. [na Ucrânia]”Duda said, as quoted by the Polish news agency PAP.
“You carried out demining and pyrotechnic activities aimed at protecting the civilian population of Ukraine from mortal danger (…) We are very proud,” added Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski.
Andrzej Duda’s speech came two days after his meeting with US President Joe Biden, who visited Warsaw on Tuesday and praised the attitude of the Poles towards the Ukrainians.
At this meeting, Biden said that the support provided by Poland has been “truly extraordinary.”
The US head of state, who met that day with his Polish counterpart, also assured that the Atlantic Alliance is “stronger than ever”, that the dedication of the United States to the security of Europe is increasing and that NATO ( North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is “probably the most important alliance in history”.
Source: TSF
