Poland is seeking a NATO force in Ukraine to lead a peacekeeping mission

NATO UN Peacekeeper. Image Credit.

Kaczynski, along with the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Denys Shmygal.

Poland asked for a NATO peacekeeping operation in Ukraine to be "protected by armed forces" on Tuesday.

During a visit to Kyiv, Vice Premier Jaroslaw Kaczynski was quoted by the Polish news agency PAP as saying, "This cannot be an unarmed mission."

"It must endeavor to help Ukraine with humanitarian and peaceful assistance."

Kaczynski met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, along with the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia.

It is the first time a foreign leader has paid a visit to Kyiv since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24.

"I believe we need a peacekeeping mission from NATO, or possibly from a larger international structure, but it must be a mission that can defend itself and operate on Ukrainian territory, and it must be in this country with the president and government of Ukraine's agreement, and it must not be a defenseless mission," Kaczynski said.

It "will seek for peace, to deliver humanitarian relief, but it will be safeguarded by proper troops, armed forces," continued Kaczynski, who is also the leader of Poland's ruling conservative party and the country's primary policymaker.

Mateusz Morawiecki, Poland's prime minister, has again urged the EU to "grant Ukraine candidate status as soon as possible," adding, "We will attempt to organize defensive armaments."

According to a statement on the Polish government's website, the three prime ministers and Kaczynski traveled to Kyiv to "confirm the unequivocal support of the entire European Union for Ukraine's sovereignty and independence and to present a broad package of support for the Ukrainian state and society."

Ukraine's deputy prime minister Shmygal lauded "the courage of the true friends of Ukraine" shortly after their arrival.

The European leaders arrived in Kyiv as Russian soldiers try to besiege the Ukrainian capital, which has been placed under curfew, and their strikes have impacted several areas.

NDTV