Ukraine peace talks could start this winter, Tusk says
Peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine could begin as early as this winter, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Dec. 10, Reuters reported.
Speaking during a government meeting, Tusk announced that Poland, set to assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on Jan. 1, intends to play an active role in the talks.
"As you can imagine, our delegation will share responsibility for shaping the political calendar and possibly the conditions surrounding the negotiations, which, while still uncertain, could begin this winter," Tusk said.
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit Warsaw later this week to brief Tusk on his recent discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris.
The move towards negotiations comes as Donald Trump's inauguration approaches, after which he has claimed he will be able to quickly bring the fighting to a close.
Tusk also confirmed that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Warsaw in early January, coinciding with Poland’s EU Council presidency.
“I want Poland to set the tone for decisions that will secure peace and protect Polish interests,” the president said.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is preparing a coalition of its key allies, including the U.S. and European nations, to coordinate positions for both battlefield and diplomatic strategies.
A meeting of these partners is planned for December, according to Ukrainian presidential spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov.
Boldizsar Gyori
