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UPDATE: Polish, Ukrainian presidents discuss peace efforts, transatlantic ties

21.02.2025 15:30
Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Friday he had spoken on the phone with his Ukrainian counterpart to discuss ways of achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine and the US administration's negotiations with Moscow.
Polands President Andrzej Duda and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky.
Poland's President Andrzej Duda and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky.Photo: Jakub Szymczuk/KPRP

"A few minutes ago, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called me," Duda said on X.

"We had a candid conversation on the heels of the recent meetings with General Kellogg and other developments," he added.

"I conveyed to him that we consistently believe there is no other way to stop the bloodshed and achieve lasting peace in Ukraine except with the support of the United States," Duda revealed.

'Calm and constructive cooperation' with Trump

"For this reason, I suggested to President Zelensky to remain committed to the course of calm and constructive cooperation with US President Donald Trump," he wrote.

"I trust that good will and honesty form the foundation of the U.S. negotiation strategy," Duda further said.

Trump 'guided by deep sense of responsibility for global stability'

The Polish president also shared that he was in "no doubt that President Trump is guided by a deep sense of responsibility for global stability and peace."

'We deeply appreciate the support of the Polish people': Zelensky

Zelensky said on X that he spoke with Duda on Friday to discuss "current events and upcoming engagements."

"We deeply appreciate the support of the Polish people and will never forget how much Poland has done for our shared future," he declared.

"Our common goal remains clear—to protect Ukraine and all of Europe from Russia's war of aggression," he added.

He revealed that he told Duda "about the ongoing dialogue with the U.S. team."

'A strong and lasting peace can only be achieved through unity'

"It is important that the United States stand with us," Zelensky wrote. "A strong and lasting peace can only be achieved through unity. Thank you for your support."

Trump on Wednesday denounced Zelensky as "a dictator without elections" and warned that he must "move fast" to secure peace with Russia or risk losing his country.

He also mocked Zelensky as "a modestly successful comedian" and accused him of talking the United States into spending USD 350 billion "to go into a war that couldn’t be won, that never had to start, but a war that he, without the U.S. and Trump, will never be able to settle."

Speaking to reporters in Florida on Tuesday, Trump blamed Ukraine's authorities for the war and suggested they "could have made a deal" with Russia earlier.

Russia invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

Friday is day 1,093 of Russia's war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP