– It is a fact that, probably for the first time, it was so clearly visible that both Americans, Europeans and Ukraine are on one side – said Tusk during a briefing after the summit.
The head of government also emphasized that the only real chance to persuade Russia to enter into serious talks about ending the war, or at least about a ceasefire, is to unite the entire West. – It is necessary for us, together with the Americans and the Ukrainians, to behave as allies, so that the Russians and Putin see that we cannot drive a wedge between these three sides, he stressed.
The Prime Minister also pointed out that the actions taken by a group of European leaders brought results, which shows that the direction chosen was the right one. However, he noted that it is only a prerequisite for meaningful conversations, not the end of them.
He also pointed out that the essence of the current problem is that the Americans are convinced that – as he emphasized – “we are able to build serious security guarantees for Ukraine with their participation.” — I emphasized that from our point of view this is important, because Security guarantees for Ukraine are, in a sense, also security guarantees for Poland. Ukraine at risk of renewed aggression means a great risk for Poland and for those countries close to the front, Tusk reported.
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What were the main findings of the Berlin summit regarding Ukraine?
What did Donald Tusk say about security guarantees for Ukraine?
Is there a possibility of a ceasefire before Christmas?
What are Poland's tasks in the context of support for Ukraine?
He emphasized that the clear declaration of the American side about its readiness to participate in the security guarantee system for Ukraine is of significant importance. He noted, however, that FrPossible territorial concessions remain a difficult and very difficult issuewhich require serious reflection on Ukraine's part. He emphasized that Poland would not exert any pressure in this matter, and the decision could only result from the assessment and calculations of the Ukrainians themselves.
— Our task is to support them in these negotiations so that there is no question of Russia triumphing in this confrontation. But it is still a very difficult task, Tusk said, noting, however, that progress in the ongoing talks is evident.
When asked about the presence of international military forces in Ukraine as a security guarantee, Tusk once again reminded that Poland will have other tasks. — We need to secure the eastern flank, which is why we are flying to Helsinki right now, among other things, to talk about it seriously. And anyway, Poland will be a key hub – not only Jasionka, but also our ports, all logistics in the reconstruction of Ukraine – he said.
The Prime Minister added that if security guarantees for Ukraine are to make real sense, Poland will necessarily be logistically involved in them. He emphasized that everyone understands this and that there is no pressure on this matter. – This is our decision, an autonomous one, Poland decides where to send soldiers and where not to send them – he added.
Tusk: the American declaration we heard today was far-reaching
Tusk was asked by journalists whether the guarantees for Ukraine are similar to Article 5 of NATO, which stipulates mutual defense. — That would be too much said, too strongly said. But for the first time I heard from American negotiators, here, Mr. (Steve) Witkoff was very clear that America would engage in security guarantees for Ukraine in such a way that the Russians would have no doubt that the American response would be military if the Russians attacked Ukraine again. So in a sense it is similar to Article 5, but I would not refer directly to Article 5, because it may only make further talks more difficult, but already this declaration we heard today was really far-reaching – replied the Prime Minister.
Seizure of Russian assets. “Far from agreement”
When asked whether the issue of frozen Russian assets was discussed during the Berlin summit, Tusk said that there was “a long way” to an agreement on this matter that would allow these funds to be used to rebuild Ukraine. — For now, we have a decision that allows us to permanently freeze Russian assets. (…) However, from that moment until the possible use of these funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine, not to mention military support for Ukraine, it is still light years away, he admitted.
According to Tusk, the decision on allocating these funds to Ukraine will not be made at Thursday's summit in Brussels, during which an agreement on financing Ukraine for the next two years is to be reached. – However, there are various indirect mechanisms, for example the possibility of using these funds as a certain financial leverage, i.e. a guarantee for loans – he added.
When asked whether the United States' position on this matter was similar to the European one, he noted that “the difference of opinion is very clear.” — The Americans say leave these Russian assetsbecause it is difficult to sit down with Putin and say: “let's build a compromise, but we will take your money.” This is the American argument to be very careful here and not to put the matter on the edge of the sea, said the Prime Minister.
— The Americans would be interested in using these funds in a different way, and I also think that they could use their own funds, perhaps some of them in consultation with Russia. This is where it sometimes comes out that Americans still have a business approach to the matter (…). It is difficult to talk about a uniform European and American position here, Tusk added.
Ceasefire before Christmas? “Unlikely”
When asked if he saw any prospects for a possible ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia before Christmas, he said yes “Russians are probably not seriously interested at the moment peace negotiations or a cessation of fire.” – So we need even more pressure and to show that we really will not allow ourselves to be divided as the West. And then these talks may take on a concrete character. But before Christmas, it seems very unlikely to me – said the head of government.
Berlin summit on Ukraine. What was agreed
During Monday's talks in the German capital, attended by, among others, Donald Tusk, it was established, among others, that among the security guarantees for Ukraine agreed between the US and Europe is a European-led, US-backed military mission of the willing to these countries, also operating in Ukraine
The interview participants also agreed that will provide Ukraine with support in maintaining the number of its army at 800,000. soldiers in peacetime. READ MORE.
Donald Trump, who participated in the Berlin summit remotely, told reporters after the talks that “things are going very well.”
I had a long conversation with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. I also spoke with the leaders of Germany, Italy, NATO, Finland, France, Great Britain, Poland, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands. We had long and good conversations, he said. — We are closer than before, he said, adding that it was a “difficult conflict” that “should never have happened.”
“We discussed mechanisms that would enable the use of frozen Russian assets to the benefit of Ukraine. We appreciate Germany's leadership role in this matter. We also talked separately about our joint actions with partners to end the war, establish a just peace and guarantee security,” wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
