Donald Tusk met with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Warsaw on Wednesday to discuss future security for the war-torn country, ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The leaders talked about potential post-war arrangements involving troops from Europe being stationed in Ukraine, as well as the country’s path to accession to the European Union and NATO.
Ahead of Donald Trump returning to power in the U.S., Kyiv has come under increased pressure in recent months to consider opening peace negotiations.
Tusk reiterated his “unconditional” support for Ukraine’s armed struggle but added that “we need all allies” to ensure that the authorities in Kyiv are given tangible post-war guarantees.
But the Polish leader suggested that the notion of NATO membership for Ukraine should be “bracketed” for the time being.
EU peace force discussed
The idea of stationing foreign troops in Ukraine has gained traction partly thanks to the outspoken support it has received from France’s President Emmanuel Macron.
Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that he supports the idea of European soldiers on Ukrainian land but added it would need to be part of a wider system of security guarantees.
“We support military presence of our strategic allies on Ukraine’s territories,” Zelenskyy said, confirming that Kyiv is discussing the matter with allies in France, the UK and the Baltic states.
Potential military training schemes carried out by foreign allied forces in Ukraine are also being discussed, Zelensky added.
Call to accelerate EU and NATO accession
The Ukrainian president also reiterated calls for the accelerated accession of Ukraine to the EU and NATO, saying that the integration of Ukraine on grounds of “strong cooperation” would allow “Europe to gain the geopolitical importance it badly needs.”
Zelenskyy’s visit to Warsaw comes with Poland having just assumed the rotating presidency of the EU, giving it the power to set the political agenda in Brussels.
Tusk, who stood alongside Zelenskyy as he made the comments, declared that Poland would use its platform to “break the impasse” in Ukraine’s EU accession process.
On the issue of Ukraine’s NATO membership, Tusk was more cautious, saying the idea is “controversial among some states”, adding that the Transatlantic alliance should for now focus instead on providing Ukraine with a security guarantee after the end of the military conflict.
Poland is one of Ukraine’s closest allies in Europe and Tusk, a Brussels veteran, reassured Zelenskyy of unwavering support from Warsaw.
“Ukraine can count on Polish support and Polish assistance. And I am convinced... on the help and support of the entire EU in [Ukraine] defending itself against Russia's brutal aggression,” Tusk said.
‘Hope for active cooperation’ with Trump
Both leaders also commented on the implications Donald Trump’s return to the White House could have on Ukraine’s war against Russia and Europe’s security at large.
“We hope for active cooperation in the spirit of peace through strength and we count on maintaining sanctions on Russia,” Zelenskyy said.
Tusk added: “The United States will work with Ukraine and Europe on security if Europe takes security challenges seriously.”
“If every Donald in the world had a view like mine on security guarantees for Ukraine, then this scenario would probably be simpler.
“But that doesn't change the fact that at the moment it is not so easy to establish in detail a common position of the whole West on this issue.”
