Polish Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, stated that Russia–as the aggressor in its war against Ukraine–should be compelled to participate in future peace negotiations, rather than Ukraine.
Sikorski, speaking to reporters in Brussels on December 16, stated that the US and the EU must prioritize strengthening Ukraine’s position ahead of any potential negotiations and collectively work on bringing Russia to the negotiating table.
“The division of responsibilities should ensure that both the United States and the European Union help Ukraine achieve a stronger negotiating position for potential future talks, which should focus on encouraging and pressuring the aggressor, not the victim,” he reportedly said.
Sikorski stressed the need for the EU to maximize its preparedness to support Ukraine in anticipation of a possible shift in US foreign policy under the incoming Trump administration.
Russia’s conditions for negotiation are the recognition of those Ukrainian territories currently under Russian occupation as part of the Russian Federation, among them Crimea and the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. In addition, Ukraine should have a neutral, non-nuclear, and demilitarized status.
Ukraine has continuously expressed that its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and concrete security guarantees against potential future Russian aggression are vital to a just and lasting peace.
Earlier in December, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that the stronger the alliance’s military support for Ukraine, the stronger the country’s position will be at the negotiating table.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting on December 3, Rutte reaffirmed that Ukraine has the right to defend itself, and NATO members have a duty to assist Kyiv.
On September 26, the Biden administration announced an expanded security assistance program aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position as much as possible before the end of US President Joe Biden’s presidency.
The US has pledged to deliver a total of $61 billion in aid approved by Congress to Ukraine by the end of Biden’s term.
In December alone, the US unveiled several security assistance packages for Ukraine amounting to almost $2 billion, aimed at bolstering the nation’s defense capabilities amid ongoing Russian aggression.
Poland is set to assume presidency of the Council of the European Union beginning January 1, 2025. During its presidency, Poland could witness significant developments regarding the war and peace in Ukraine, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Ivan Khomenko")
