French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated on Thursday that Ukraine must play a key role in any possible negotiations regarding Russian aggression, following a meeting in Warsaw.
President Macron also emphasized that Europeans need to be involved in security discussions in “close coordination” with the United States to ensure that Europe’s interests are taken into account.
The meeting follows President Macron’s discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris last Saturday. Meanwhile, Poland is set to take over the next presidency of the European Union in January, just weeks before Trump assumes office.
“We spoke about our joint efforts for a fair peace in Ukraine,” Prime Minister Tusk said in a joint statement with President Macron.
“We have a clear stance … Ukraine must be present in every (round of) negotiations, and every proposal must also be accepted by our friends in Kyiv,” he added.
Poland has been one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters against Russia’s aggression, which began on February 24, 2022.
Prime Minister Tusk dismissed as “speculation” the idea of sending troops to Ukraine after a possible ceasefire or peace agreement.
“Decisions regarding Polish actions will be made in Warsaw and only in Warsaw,” he said. “At the moment, we are not planning such actions.”
French President Macron said, “The administration of President Trump has shown its willingness to make efforts to change the course of this conflict.”
A day after meeting with Zelensky, President-elect Trump called on Russian leader Vladimir Putin to take steps to achieve an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine. He characterized the request as part of his active efforts as President-elect to end the war, despite taking office in a few weeks.
“We must work closely with the Americans, certainly with Ukraine, to find a possible path that takes into account Ukraine’s sovereignty and interests, as well as the security and interests of Europeans,” President Macron said.
