WARSAW, Poland — During a meeting on Thursday in Warsaw, President Emmanuel Macron of France and Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland emphasized the importance of including Ukraine in any discussions regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia. They expressed their belief that Ukraine should play a critical role in future negotiations aimed at achieving peace.
Macron stressed the necessity for European nations to engage in security discussions while ensuring tight coordination with the United States. This coordination is deemed essential to protect European interests in the talks.
This meeting took place shortly after Macron’s discussions with President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris, just as Poland is about to take over the presidency of the European Union a few weeks before Trump assumes office.
Tusk conveyed the importance of collaboration, declaring, “We talked about our joint work for a just peace in Ukraine.” He added that, “We have a clear position … that Ukraine must be present at every negotiation and that any proposals must be validated by our friends in Kyiv.”
Poland has emerged as one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters amid Russia’s extensive invasion that began on February 24, 2022. Tusk dismissed the idea of sending Polish troops to Ukraine in the context of a potential ceasefire or peace agreement as mere “speculation.” He firmly stated, “Decisions regarding Polish actions will be taken in Warsaw, and Warsaw alone,” further asserting that no such plans are currently in the works.
Macron remarked on the Trump administration’s openness to altering the situation in the conflict. Just a day after meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump encouraged Russian President Vladimir Putin to move toward implementing an immediate ceasefire, framing it as part of his proactive approach to resolving the war even before formally taking office.
“We have to work very closely with the Americans, with Ukraine, of course, to find a possible path that takes into account Ukraine’s sovereignty and interests along with the security and interests of Europe,” Macron concluded.
