Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, warned of possible “very difficult days” that may occur due to the development of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and relations with the United States
After a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Polish leader did not conceal his concern about future events, noting that the situation around Ukraine and generally in the region is becoming increasingly complicated and tense. Against the backdrop of negotiations, Tusk emphasized that the Russian side was raising a number of conditions that are unacceptable to the West, primarily to Ukraine. According to him, Russia was seeking to withdraw U.S. participation from key diplomatic processes, which would facilitate the promotion of Russian interests. At the same time, he stressed that these demands are "not only for Ukraine but for all of us," referring to the broader European community and NATO partners. The Prime Minister added that Europe and the United States should continue working together towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. "We know that Russia's position is extremely unconstructive and even hostile, so we can cautiously predict that very difficult days await us on our diplomatic path," said Donald Tusk, emphasizing that maintaining Western unity should become the main priority in the current circumstances. Following this meeting with Trump on May 16, other leaders — from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine — joined the conversation with the U.S. president. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a joint phone conference, stated that the U.S. should continue putting pressure on Russia to force it to cease its aggression. Zelensky stressed that such pressure should be maintained until Russian military officials and politicians give a clear signal of their willingness to end the war and pursue diplomatic solutions. No less significant was the first direct diplomatic negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in over three years, which took place on May 16 in Istanbul. According to the Ukrainian delegation, the main topics discussed included ceasefire issues, humanitarian solutions, and the possible meeting of the leaders of Ukraine and Russia. Meanwhile, reports in the media indicated that Russia was making a series of ultimatums and unacceptable conditions for Ukraine, further highlighting the complexity and tension of the current diplomatic processes. Overall, analysts note that the prospects for resolving the conflict remain uncertain, and political and diplomatic pressure from the West and Ukraine remains an integral part of the struggle for peace and stability in the region. The head of the Polish government once again emphasized that the most important thing now is to maintain the unity of allies and to uphold the principles of democracy and international law, despite unexpected challenges and difficult conditions that may arise in the near future.