Poland’s President Visits Ukraine ahead of NATO Summit

In anticipation of a crucial NATO summit in Vilnius next week, Poland's President Andrzej Duda urged Western allies of Kyiv to demonstrate unity during his visit to Ukraine on Sunday.

Taking to social media during his visit to the city of Lutsk in western Ukraine alongside his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, Duda wrote, "Together we are stronger."

In response, Ukrainian Presidential Administration Chief Andriy Yermak stated on Telegram, "Ukraine and Poland together, united in the struggle against a common enemy."

Warsaw has been a key supporter of Ukraine within the NATO alliance, which Kyiv has sought to join for years, along with the European Union.

President Zelensky returned from Turkey on Saturday, concluding a tour of Eastern Europe aimed at garnering support ahead of the alliance summit in Vilnius on July 11 and 12, where Western leaders are expected to provide "security assurances" to Kyiv.

However, Ukraine's hopes for accelerated NATO membership have been dampened due to the stance of U.S. President Joe Biden, who stated that the country facing Russia's military aggression will not enjoy "special measures" to facilitate its accession.

Ukraine also hopes to acquire additional weapons and ammunition to support its ongoing counteroffensive, launched at the beginning of July, which continues to encounter formidable Russian defensive lines.