Trump heard unified position of European countries on Ukraine, says Tusk
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said that during Wednesday's meeting of European leaders with US President Donald Trump, the American leader heard the unified position of European countries on the talks concerning Ukraine.
He contended that the meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin planned for Friday would most likely not end in a resolution, but could be the first step towards relatively quick decisions regarding a ceasefire.
"It was very important for President Trump to hear a unified position, and we succeeded in achieving that after several days of effort at the levels of advisors and ministers," Tusk said. "Today at the leaders' meeting, we were able to work out a common position, and it aligns with Poland's interests."
The Polish stance, he added, "is guiding other countries on how the talks on Ukraine should proceed. And the main point here is that no one should even consider recognising Russia's right to demarcate its neighbours' borders."
Three separate teleconferences concerning Ukraine were held on Wednesday.
The first was a video conference of a small circle of European leaders with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which included Tusk and focused on the European stance ahead of Trump-Putin Friday meeting.
The second was a teleconference involving European leaders, Trump and Zelensky, in which the European position was presented. Poland was represented by President Karol Nawrocki despite earlier announcements by the Polish government that Tusk would attend the call.
The third call of thirty European leaders, was also attended by Tusk.
After this meeting, Tusk told a press conference that allies had discussed how they could positively influence the course of the Trump-Putin talks.
"Cautious optimism prevailed that it might be possible, if not to end the war, at least to initiate a genuine peace process," he said.
Tusk also said that "it appears that President Trump's understanding has at least been declared" particularly regarding the European stance, for example, regarding security guarantees for Ukraine from the United States."
He further argued that "Russia must be forced" to permit a just peace in Ukraine and that no one has the right to dictate terms to Ukraine that would effectively mean its capitulation. He said he expects the US administration to adopt this stance.
Tusk said that Poland's task was to convince Western countries that "only pressure, full solidarity with Ukraine and unity offer a real chance to force Putin to make peace."
He also warned against Russia's attempts to include the security of NATO countries in the negotiations and to reduce the presence of allied troops, also in Poland.
For this reason, Tusk said, "it is crucial to build a solidary and united coalition of states, both in dealings with Russia and with other allies, such as the United States."
Later on Wednesday, referring to the Trump-Nawrocki call, Tusk said that the Polish government must work together with the Polish president "on matters of security, foreign policy, war and peace."
He added that the government had adopted a position on the US-Russian talks on Tuesday, which was then conveyed to Nawrocki "in the context of his contacts with the US administration," and that the president "should represent the position developed by the government."
Tusk also said he might talk about this with Nawrocki on Thursday.
"It is possible that, tomorrow, I will also discuss this matter with President Nawrocki, so that we will never allow ourselves to be outmaneuvered by anyone, whether they are our adversaries or our friends," he said.
Later on Wednesday evening, the presidential spokesperson confirmed that Nawrocki would meet with Tusk at the Presidential Palace on Thursday at 12pm. He added that the meeting was arranged at Tusk's request.
On Friday, Trump is due to meet Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss the war in Ukraine and possible peace talks.(PAP)
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