Long-term budget planning and other EU strategic decisions should now consider the political reality of Ukraine's future membership.

It was stated to the media by Minister Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha on 13 September during the visit of Foreign Minister of the Republic of Poland Radosław Sikorski to Ukraine.

"We look forward to significantly progressing in the negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU during Poland’s Presidency in the first half of next year. We also expect a simultaneous opening of negotiation clusters," the Minister said.

Andrii Sybiha extended deep gratitude to Radosław Sikorski and Poland for the unwavering military and financial assistance to Ukraine and expressed hope for its continuation.

"I welcome the launch of Poland's implementation of the next 45th defence package for Ukraine. We need its timely supply so that our soldiers are provided with everything they need. Not less important is the maintenance of energy and other critical infrastructure of Ukraine, " the Minister noted.

The Foreign Minister stressed that Ukraine and Poland are actively working on the implementation of the Security Agreement signed by the leaders of the two countries. He said that it includes the establishment of the Ukrainian Legion, the transfer of fighters for Ukraine and other security issues.

"We are discussing with our Polish partners the use of their air defense systems to intercept Russian missiles and drones over the territory of Ukraine. We spare no effort by working with the partners to build up a coalition of courage that will create the necessary conditions for this decision, " the Minister emphasized.

The Minister also noted that the support for Ukraine's path to membership in the EU and NATO is of common interest.

"We will jointly promote a must for historic steps towards Ukraine's accession to NATO. It is a mutual interest, since Ukraine's membership in NATO is a guarantee of the security of Europe as a whole, " the Minister said.

In the context of granting Ukraine permission to use long-range weapons of the Allies on the territory of the Russian Federation, Andrii Sybiha singled out the impossibility of the existence of any restrictions for the right of Ukraine to self-defense.

The Foreign Minister stressed the need to increase sanction pressure on Moscow to the unbearable level for the aggressor.

"Frozen Russian assets have to be fully used to support Ukraine. Russia must pay for its crimes on the battlefield, legally and financially, "- the Minister said.

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, one of the important topics of their discussion was the development of border and logistics infrastructure, and the possibility of increasing railway communication between the Ukrainian and Polish capitals.

"We look forward to signing the Ukrainian-Polish Agreement on control at joint checkpoints as soon as possible. Such an understanding was reached by our Prime Ministers at the Joint Government Consultations, and I am sure we will successfully implement it, "the Minister said.

The Foreign Minister stressed the importance of no blocking of the Ukrainian-Polish border, given the huge economic losses from such actions for both countries.

Andrii Sybiha has defined the protection of Ukrainian nationals abroad among the priorities.

"In Poland, which hosted the largest number of Ukrainians, we plan to expand the consular presence and contribute to maintaining ties of the Ukrainians with their state. It is especially important that Ukrainian children preserve their identity, language, and take pride of being Ukrainians, " the Minister said.

The Foreign Minister expressed hope for a greater promotion of allied relations between Ukraine and Poland, and a constructive solution to all issues of bilateral development of the countries.

"We had the opportunity to comprehensively discuss a wide range of bilateral topics. Our freedom and security are indivisible, and we must fight for them shoulder to shoulder. We have enough will, diplomatic ability and wisdom to solve even the most complex issues in a good-neighborly way, " Andrii Sybiha emphasized.