Warsaw – Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressed on Monday the necessity of including Kyiv in all discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, warning against allowing Russia to alter borders without repercussions, reports 24brussels.
Speaking to Polish media following a weekend meeting of European leaders, Tusk reaffirmed their commitment to unity. This statement precedes an upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where peace efforts regarding the conflict are expected to be on the agenda.
Why does Tusk warn against changing borders by force?
Tusk articulated that
“for Poland and our European partners, it must be clear that you cannot change borders with force,”
emphasizing that Moscow must not gain from its aggression towards Ukraine.
“The West, including European countries, will not accept Russian demands which simply amount to the seizure of Ukrainian territory,”
he stated. Tusk cautions that Russia should not assume it can contest national borders without facing serious consequences. Referencing Poland’s own history, he reiterated the principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
“From history we know — and Poland has often been a victim of this — that when the great powers decided about other countries without the participation of those countries in negotiations, the consequences were grave.”
What is scheduled for the August Trump-Putin Alaska meeting?
A planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is set for August 15, 2025, in Alaska, according to Trump’s announcement regarding efforts to draft a peace agreement to resolve the war in Ukraine.
Trump suggested that part of the discussions might involve Ukraine conceding territory currently under Russian control, including parts of eastern Ukraine and Crimea. This proposal has sparked concerns among European leaders and the Ukrainian government, which insists that any peace agreement must include Kyiv’s consent and territorial integrity.
How is Poland engaging with Zelensky on peace discussions?
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has consistently emphasized that Ukraine must be at the forefront of any conflict resolution process. He affirmed that the peace initiative cannot succeed without the involvement of Kyiv, stressing the need for Ukraine, Poland, and other European countries to establish robust security and independence.
Tusk highlighted recent discussions with President Volodymyr Zelensky, describing them as hopeful yet pragmatic, and underscored the importance of active participation from Poland and other European nations in negotiations for a ceasefire and future peace agreements.
