Europe showed leadership in supporting Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday (December 19) during a visit to Warsaw, where the two leaders discussed strengthening their countries' partnership.

The EU leaders decided in the early hours of Friday to provide Ukraine with 90 billion euros ($105.46 billion) of support over the next two years to fund Ukraine's defence against Russia rather than use the frozen Russian assets.

The decision followed hours of discussions among leaders on an unprecedented loan based on the frozen Russian assets, which turned out to be too politically demanding to resolve at this stage.

During the meeting Tusk said that Ukraine now holds stronger cards in its position against Russia and praised Zelenskiy as a hero not only in Ukraine but also in Poland.

Earlier on Friday, Zelenskiy met with Polish President Karol Nawrocki and visited the Polish parliament.

Warsaw has been one of Ukraine's staunchest backers since Russia's invasion in 2022, but with hostility to refugees rising in Poland and far-right parties there saying the country has gone too far in supporting Kyiv, relations between the neighbours have become more tense.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY MEETING POLISH PRIME MINISTER DONALD TUSK

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: WARSAW, POLAND (DECEMBER 19, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY AND POLISH PRIME MINISTER DONALD TUSK ARRIVING TO MEET MEDIA

2. ZELENSKIY AND TUSK SEATED

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING

"I think that Europe showed leadership, and this is very important and tough, strong position. Thank you. Thank you that you supported us. That, I mean, for us, Poland supported us, and we heard your voice and your messages without any kind of, you understand, balancing between right or not right decisions. So thank you so much."

4. MEETING IN PROGRESS

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) POLISH PRIME MINISTER, DONALD TUSK, SAYING:

"I am absolutely sure that now your position vis-a-vis Russia is much better. You have stronger cards. I know you don't play cards, as you said once. You remember this?"

ZELENSKIY: "But sometimes."

"But yeah. And for sure, with us, you have stronger cards. I am absolutely sure."

ZELENSKIY: "Thank you."

"I am really satisfied. It could be better, always. Something could be better, more efficient. But I am really satisfied, at least, that we delivered what we promised."

6. MEETING IN PROGRESS

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) POLISH PRIME MINISTER, DONALD TUSK, SAYING:

"We appreciate all of your personal efforts. You are a hero not only in Ukraine, but here in Poland also. We treat you as a hero.

ZELENSKIY: "No, no, no."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know what I'm saying."

ZELENSKIY: "Thank you so much Donald. Thank you for everything."

8. MEETING IN PROGRESS

9. TUSK AND ZELENSKIY LEAVING