The leader of Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, Jarosław Kaczyński, donated 50,000 zlotys ($11,500) to the needs of the Ukrainian army to settle a defamation case with his political rival, the Associated Press reported, citing BTA .

In December, a court ordered Kaczynski to give more than 700,000 zlotys (162,000 euros) to pay the costs of publishing an apology to Radoslaw Sikorski from the main opposition force, the liberal Civil Platform (GP), whom he called a "diplomatic traitor."

Kaczynski used this qualification against Szykorski in 2016 in connection with the plane crash near Smolensk, Russia, in 2010 that killed 96 people, including Polish President Lech Kaczynski, the PiS leader's twin brother.

At that time, Sikorski was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and now he is a member of the European Parliament and an outspoken critic of the ruling conservatives in Poland.

Jarosław Kaczynski has long accused the leadership of the General Prosecutor's Office of having played a role in his brother's death, a claim in support of which, however, the investigation has not found any evidence, AP notes.

After being ordered to pay more than 700 thousand zlotys, Kaczynski said that even if he sold his house, he still might not be able to collect this amount.

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"Penalties for defamation should be severe, but not devastating," responded Shikorski.

He said that if Kaczynski gave 50 thousand zlotys for the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces, he would not ask him to publish an apology, BTA notes.

The PiS leader announced that he had paid the requested amount.

"Today, Ukraine is fighting for its independence and freedom, but also for our security," Kaczynski stressed in a statement.

He added that he was happy to give the money to support the Ukrainian armed forces.

"I am satisfied that we found a patriotic solution," said Shikorski in turn.

Jaroslav Kaczynski