Ukraine's Zelenskiy hails ties as Poland vows further support

Workers assemble a screen for the audience for the visit of Ukraininan President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in front of the Royal Castle in the Old Town in Warsaw, Poland, April 4, 2023. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel

WARSAW (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited neighbouring Poland on Wednesday and thanked the country for its "historic" help, saying it should become a key partner in the vast reconstruction effort needed once Russia's invasion ends.

Warsaw has positioned itself as one of Kyiv's staunchest allies, playing a leading role in persuading sometimes reluctant allies to provide it with heavy weaponry, much of it supplied through Poland. On Wednesday, President Andrzej Duda said Poland would supply Ukraine with a total of 14 MiG-29 fighter jets.