Volodymyr Zelensky warmly hailed in Poland by Ukrainian refugees

The couple Olena and Volodymyr Zelensky, left, with Polish President Andrzej Duda and his wife Agata, in Warsaw, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. AFP - WOJTEK RADWANSKI

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Volodymyr Zelensky ends his visit to Poland. Although he has long discussed security, reconstruction of his country, armaments with Polish leaders, the Ukrainian head of state ended his visit with a major speech, broadcast live on giant screens in the old city. Poland is the country hosting the most Ukrainian refugees in the world. Many of them came to listen to their president.

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With our correspondent in Warsaw, Martin Chabal

It was under the slogan "Glory to Ukraine" that Volodymyr Zelensky began his speech. The crowd of Ukrainians responded with one voice: "Glory to the heroes."

Alexis didn't want to miss this moment. "I feel inspired," he says. It's a great moment. When I heard he was coming here, I wanted to be there and support the decisions he makes.

Joanna came with her granddaughter in her arms, wrapped in a Ukrainian flag. It is with a big smile that she welcomes Volodymyr Zelensky, on what is now her land of exile. "I want to say a thousand thanks to our president," she says. And I hope that only one thing is that the victory is ours!

Between conversations in Ukrainian, some Poles also came to watch the speech. With the flags of both countries tied behind his back, Filip is there to listen to the message. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime historic moment," he says. I believe very much in the friendship between our two nations, as you can see behind my back, and it is very important even when you are Polish.

It was hand in hand with Ukrainian children that Filip trampled and tore portraits of Vladimir Putin on the square of the Royal Castle in Warsaw.

► Read also Ukraine: visiting Poland, Zelensky wants to inflate an alliance of the first order

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Read on on the same topics:

• Poland
• Ukraine
• Volodymyr Zelensky
• Andrzej Duda