Poland Condemns Russia’s Use of Nepali Citizens in Ukraine War During Meeting With Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Poland Says
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, and Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal meet at U.N. headquarters in New York on Monday. Photo by Rajan Kafle for NepYork.
NEW YORK — Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal met Sunday with Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski at United Nations Headquarters in New York, discussing bilateral relations and cooperation on the margins of the 81st U.N. General Assembly.
The meeting marked the start of Khanal’s diplomatic engagements in New York, where he arrived Sunday to lead Nepal’s delegation during the high-level week of the General Assembly. He is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts and participate in ministerial-level sessions.
The Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations said the talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
“The two dignitaries discussed a broad array of issues relating to growing Nepal-Poland relations and underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation across various areas of mutual interest, including at the UN and other multilateral forums,” the mission said.
Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal @shisir had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland on the margins of #UNGA81 at UNHQ, New York.
The two dignitaries discussed a broad array of… pic.twitter.com/38pZlR0J93
— Nepal Mission to the UN (@NepalUNNY) September 21, 2026
Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided additional details Monday, saying the talks included Poland’s support for political and economic changes in Nepal, including expert assistance, as well as Nepal’s support for Ukraine.
The Polish Foreign Ministry also said Sikorski condemned what it described as Russia’s exploitation of Nepali citizens who have been forced to fight in Ukraine.
📍 New York City 🇺🇸
Deputy PM, FM @sikorskiradek met with Nepal’s Foreign Minister @shisir 🇳🇵.
The meeting covered:⁰🔹 Poland’s support for positive political and economic changes in🇳🇵, including expert assistance⁰🔹 Recognition of Nepal’s support for 🇺🇦⁰🔹 Condemnation of… pic.twitter.com/GS4NixeTJj
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇵🇱 (@PolandMFA) September 21, 2026
“The meeting covered Poland’s support for positive political and economic changes in Nepal, including expert assistance; recognition of Nepal’s support for Ukraine; and condemnation of Russia’s exploitation of Nepali citizens, who are being forced to fight in Ukraine,” the ministry said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The issue has been a growing concern in Nepal as Nepali citizens recruited into the Russian military have been reported killed, injured or missing while serving in the war against Ukraine. Poland has strongly supported Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The Polish ministry later deleted that post and published a revised statement that omitted the reference to Russia’s exploitation of Nepali citizens.
In its revised post, the ministry said: “The talks focused on Poland’s support for positive political and economic developments in Nepal, including expert assistance, and appreciation for Nepal’s support for Ukraine.”
The meeting was among Khanal’s first high-level diplomatic engagements after his arrival in New York for the U.N. General Assembly. While Nepal’s account emphasized broader bilateral and multilateral cooperation, Poland’s statement highlighted political and economic assistance and the recruitment of Nepali citizens by Russia.
Editor’s Note: Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs deleted its original post about the meeting and subsequently published a revised post. This report has been updated to reflect the revised statement.