Andrii Sybiha says Ukraine-Poland partnership could shape Europe’s new economic and security order
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha wrote in Poland’s Rzeczpospolita that the Ukrainian-Polish partnership could become a new driving force in Europe. He called for deeper economic ties, joint production, Polish investment in Ukraine’s reconstruction, and closer cooperation in energy and defense.
Key points
- Sybiha’s article was published by Rzeczpospolita on November 11 to mark Poland’s Independence Day.
- The two countries already cooperate in energy and defense.
- Trade between Ukraine and Poland was worth about PLN 76 billion in 2025.
- Ukrainian citizens have founded more than 123,000 businesses in Poland since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
- Ukrainian residents contributed an estimated 2.4% of Poland’s GDP in 2025.
- Polish exports to Ukraine reached almost PLN 57 billion in 2025, nearly twice the 2021 level.
- Sybiha called for joint ventures, joint manufacturing, and simplified border procedures.
- Sybiha reported progress in resolving the historical dispute between Ukraine and Poland.
Why it matters
Sybiha’s proposal would turn the Ukraine-Poland relationship into a broader instrument for shaping Europe’s economic and security order. The proposal rests on existing cooperation in energy and defense, as well as substantial trade and Ukrainian involvement in Poland’s economy. Joint production, reconstruction investment, better border infrastructure and simpler customs procedures could further strengthen these ties. Poland’s participation in key European forums is also presented as part of widening the partnership’s influence.
What happened
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha published an article in Rzeczpospolita on November 11 marking Poland’s Independence Day. He argued that the Ukrainian-Polish partnership could form a new economic and security order in Europe and become a new European driving force. Sybiha proposed deeper economic cooperation, joint ventures and manufacturing, greater Polish participation in Ukraine’s reconstruction, and closer ties in energy and defense. He also urged Poland to remain active in all key international forums, said Ukraine should be an equal partner rather than only a recipient of aid, and reported progress in resolving the countries’ historical dispute. He additionally called on both countries to resist attempts by Russia to drive a wedge between them.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian sources emphasize Ukraine’s aspiration to be an equal partner of Poland, with cooperation moving toward joint production, reconstruction investment and broader European influence. They also highlight Ukraine’s experience in countering Russian missiles, cooperation in energy and defense, and the need to guard against Russian efforts to undermine bilateral relations. Progress in resolving the historical dispute is presented as another element of the partnership’s development.
How international sources describe it
The Polish framing stresses that Poland should be represented in all major international forums and formats shaping Europe’s future. It presents Ukraine’s presence as a source of businesses, investment, logistics centers and educational activity in Poland, while Poland’s integration experience offers Ukraine guidance on EU accession. It also highlights the potential combination of Ukrainian missile-countering experience and Poland’s defense capacity in protecting European airspace, alongside proposals for joint ventures, manufacturing and access to global markets.
Background
Poland has supported Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and since the early years of its aggression against Ukraine in 2014. Polish families provided accommodation to Ukrainian arrivals after the invasion began. Ukrainians established more than 123,000 businesses in Poland, and almost one in ten new individual businesses registered there in 2022–2025 was created by Ukrainian citizens. The number of Ukrainian citizens under temporary protection in Poland declined by about 11% from January to September 2026, from 966,000 to 859,000. In 2025, trade between the two countries reached about PLN 76 billion, and Poland’s positive trade balance with Ukraine exceeded PLN 37 billion. Ukraine has become Poland’s seventh-largest export market. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has previously warned European allies not to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war without considering Eastern Europe’s security interests.