Pressuring Russia, not Zelensky: a renewed approach to Ukraine’s territorial policies
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has expressed a clear stance regarding the strategic approach towards Ukraine’s territories amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to Tusk, no international partners should pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding territorial concessions.
Instead, all efforts should be directed at exerting influence on the Russian Federation to cease its aggression.
Tusk emphasized that concessions from Ukraine have never led to lasting and just peace, only worsening long-term stability.
His remarks came ahead of crucial diplomatic meetings and discussions on conflict resolution, particularly against the backdrop of conversations between high-ranking officials in the US and Russia.
Reports by the Financial Times revealed that during a meeting with Zelensky on October 17, US President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to accept Russia’s conditions for ending the war and disclosed that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had threatened to destroy Ukraine if Kyiv refused to make concessions.
This raised concerns over military aid and security issues for Ukraine moving forward.
Following the meeting, Trump stated that Ukraine and Russia should ‘stop where they are,’ aligning with Zelensky’s call to avoid further territorial concessions.
Amid diplomacy, reports indicate that the US currently does not consider providing Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, while Putin, in conversations with Trump, hinted at gaining full control over Donetsk and suggested possible territorial exchanges involving Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
Zelensky firmly rejected the idea of ceding any additional territories to Russia, underscoring Ukraine’s commitment to preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity amidst international support and ongoing negotiations.