A pause in the conflict in Ukraine could be imminent, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. He said several signs point to a "freeze" in the fighting, but that this does not mean the end of the war.
The comments come as the Kremlin announced Thursday an upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart. Donald TrumpWashington is hoping for a diplomatic breakthrough to end a conflict entering its fourth year. Trump, while adopting a more conciliatory stance toward Moscow since returning to the White House, has expressed frustration at the lack of progress and threatened Russia with new sanctions.
"There are some signals, and we also have a feeling, that perhaps a freeze in the conflict... is closer than it has been," Tusk said at a news conference. "There is hope for that." The Polish prime minister said Zelenskiy was being "very cautious but optimistic" and that Kyiv wanted to see Poland and other European countries involved in preparing a ceasefire and, eventually, a peace agreement.
NATO member Poland has strongly supported Ukraine since Moscow's February 2022 invasion, which Kyiv and its Western allies view as a war of aggression aimed at seizing territory. Warsaw has provided significant military and humanitarian aid, while advocating for continued pressure on Russia.
In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskiy said he had discussed with Tusk the "available diplomatic options" and agreed to strengthen coordination to defend common European interests. He also briefed the Polish prime minister on his recent conversations with Donald Trump and several European leaders.
