Pres. Komorowski: Poland must lobby for Ukraine

''Poland's role is to ensure that the Western world does not close the doors to political and security structures, to the European Union and also, if Ukraine wishes, to NATO,'' Komorowski said.

The Polish president made the comments in Lublin on Thursday during a review of the recently established Lithuanian–Polish–Ukrainian Brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG), a cross-national miltary formation.

''We must keep a Polish foot in the door, but at the same time we must also help our Ukrainian neighbours to acquire knowledge, skills and real possibilities to take action if it turns out that there are realistic possibilties of finding a place for Ukraine in Western structures.''

Komorowski likewise noted that LITPOLUKRBRIG is one of the tools by which Poland can provide help for Ukraine in the latter's reform of its defence system.

An agreement to create the brigade was first signed in 2009, but it was not until September 2014, by which time a new Ukrainian government was immersed in struggles with Pro-Russian separatists, that it was formed.

Only 300 soldiers are stationed at the brigade's headquarters in Lublin at present, with Lithuanian and Ukrainian officers due to arrive in the near future.

Numbers will rise to 4500, with branches in each of the countries involved. Troops will meet for regular exercises.

''The goal we have set ourselves is to have tri-national exercises by the end of the year,'' Komorowski said, adding that what has occurred so far is ''a very good start.'' (nh)

Source: PAP