“Andrzej Duda could not imagine slavery.” The shocking behind-the-scenes of the president's visit are revealed
Andrzej Duda met with Volodymyr Zelensky just before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. The shocking behind-the-scenes of the visit to Kiev come to light.
On February 23, 2022, Andrzej Duda visited Ukraine together with the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda. The politicians then met with Volodymyr Zelensky. It was during this visit that the famous words were uttered by the Ukrainian leader who was convinced that he would be killed.
Andrzej Duda in Ukraine. Shocking behind the scenes of the visit
Journalist Zbigniew Parafianowicz, in his book “Poland at War”, revealed the behind-the-scenes of the Polish president's trip to Kiev. He drew attention to the fact that during the talks between the presidents of Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania, the atmosphere was very serious, because everyone was aware that the outbreak of war was a matter of hours.
One of Andrzej Duda's close associates recalled in a conversation with Zbigniew Parafianowicz that the situation was very tense. – After visiting the Mariinsky Palace (the seat of the President of Ukraine – ed.), we packed into the cars and drove away. On the way, the deputy head of the Intelligence Agency, Dominik Duda, called. He asked where we were because it had started. The president only said that no matter what, he couldn't imagine being taken prisoner, he recalled.
An official from the head of state's entourage added that Andrzej Duda explained that there was no way that the Polish president would be shown as a hostage by the Russian media. – He told us that if the Russians landed somewhere on the road, we would have to fight until relief arrived. We had GROM guards then. And I think we would really fight, he added.
Andrzej Duda recalls the conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky
Andrzej Duda talked about his last visit to Ukraine before the war, among others: on CNN. – I talked to Volodymyr Zelensky literally a few hours before the Russian invasion. At practically the last moment we reached the Polish border, because we were in a car to cross it, and then Russian missiles fell – he reported.
The president admitted that the words of the Ukrainian leader caused him great emotions. – I remember saying goodbye to Volodymyr. He said: Andrzej, I don't know if we will see each other again. It was a very poignant moment. Then he said to me: Listen, if Putin thinks he will take over Ukraine just like they took over Crimea in 2014, he is very wrong. We have eight years of combat experience and thousands of people who have been on the front. We will fight until the last drop of blood, until we die, recalled Andrzej Duda.
