Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed cautious optimism about a potential pause in the Ukraine war, following discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Tusk’s comments come as the White House and the Kremlin prepare for a high-level summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming days.
“There are certain signals, and we also have an intuition, that perhaps a freeze in the conflict – I don’t want to say the end, but a freeze in the conflict – is closer than it is further away,” Tusk said during a news conference.
He noted that Zelenskyy was “very cautious but optimistic” about the prospect of a ceasefire, emphasizing Ukraine’s desire for Poland and other European nations to contribute to planning a peace settlement.
Zelenskyy has been engaging with European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, to ensure Ukraine’s interests are represented in potential ceasefire talks.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy stated, “Ukraine, Poland, and other European nations alike need strong foundations for their security and independence.”
The Kremlin confirmed that preparations for a Trump-Putin meeting are underway, though Putin indicated reluctance to meet Zelenskyy directly, saying, “I have nothing against it in general, it is possible, but certain conditions must be created for this.”
Potential venues for the summit include Switzerland, Rome, Hungary, and the United Arab Emirates, though no location has been finalized.
Trump has expressed willingness to meet Putin without preconditions, raising concerns that Ukraine could be sidelined in negotiations.
The U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff proposed a three-way meeting including Zelenskyy, but the Kremlin has focused solely on a bilateral summit with Trump.
Tusk underscored Poland’s role as a staunch supporter of Ukraine, a NATO member that has backed Kyiv since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, the prospect of a pause in the three-and-a-half-year conflict offers a glimmer of hope, though challenges remain in securing a lasting peace.