KYIV, Ukraine, Dec 22, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Poland's newly appointed foreign

minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, who has spoken out in support of Ukraine, has
arrived in Kyiv on his first visit abroad, Ukrainian sources told AFP on
Friday.

The visit signals the new Polish government's promises of support for
Ukraine, after signs of tensions recently emerged under the previous
governing party.

A senior Ukrainian government official confirmed the trip after Sikorski
posted an image on social media apparently from the centre of Kyiv, saying:
"First visit abroad; Already on the spot".

Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies since Russia invaded in
February 2022.

But ahead of Polish elections in October, the then-governing Law and Justice
party had lobbied for votes by leveraging fatigue over the conflict.

The government became embroiled in a row with Ukraine over grain exports, and
had said it would restrict arms deliveries to Kyiv.

But the new administration led by former European Council president Donald
Tusk pledged to double down on support for Ukraine.

He vowed to resolve the month-long blockade at the Ukraine border by Polish
hauliers, who are demanding the reintroduction of restrictions for their
Ukrainian competitors.

Sikorski is expected to focus on the blockade in meetings with Ukrainian
officials in Kyiv.

"The talks will aim to find a solution to the problem of the excessive influx
of agricultural products into the EU, and Poland in particular," Polish
Agriculture Czeslaw Siekierski told the PAP news agency.

Sikorski has previously said supporting Ukraine would be a "priority" for the
new administration.