Polish president says Russian ‘aggression’ must end with withdrawal of forces from Ukraine

BELGRADE, Serbia

Russia’s “aggression” must end with the withdrawal of its forces from Ukraine, Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Thursday.

“It is a senseless aggression that affects all international principles. Aggression must end,” Duda said in a joint press conference with his Albanian counterpart Bajram Begaj during an official visit to capital Tirana.

“I often say that (aggression) must end in only one way. From the occupied Ukrainian territory, based on international rules determining the borders of a state, It must end with the withdrawal of Russian forces. The territory of Ukraine must be completely returned to Ukraine. This is how this war must end.”

Besides controlling territories in the south and east, Russia announced the annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine last year.

After an official ceremony at the Albanian presidency, Begaj and Duda had a one-on-one meeting, as well as delegation-level talks.

Albanian President Begaj, for his part, said Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, which started last year in February, also poses a threat to the Western Balkan region.

“I appreciated the stance and role of Poland in combating the wave of refugees from Ukraine. I expressed my full solidarity with President Duda,” he added.

Duda attended the Albanian-Polish joint economic forum, and also met Albanian parliament speaker Lindita Nikollaand Prime Minister Edi Rama.

From opening its border to Ukrainians fleeing the country and becoming a key advocate of Ukraine’s cause within the EU and NATO, Poland has played a leading role in the coalition supporting Kyiv since Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia attacked Ukraine.

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