Tusk says security guarantees include US military response if Russia attacks again
Donald Tusk (Photo: Getty Images)
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that in the event of a new Russian attack on Ukraine, the US would provide a military response to Moscow. This is included in the security guarantees currently under discussion, according to Onet.
Results of the Berlin negotiations
According to Tusk, the meeting in Berlin made it clear for the first time that the US, Europe, and Ukraine are on the same side.
He emphasized that the only real way to convince Russia to enter serious negotiations to end the war, or at least establish a ceasefire, is the unity of the entire West.
“It is extremely important that we act together with the Americans and the Ukrainians as allies, so that the Russians and [Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin — ed.] see that it is impossible to drive a wedge between the three sides,” the prime minister said.
Territorial issues to be decided by Ukraine
The Polish official noted that potential territorial concessions remain an open and very complex issue that requires serious consideration by Ukraine.
He added that Poland will exert no pressure on this matter and that any decision can only be made on the basis of assessments and calculations by the Ukrainians themselves.
“Our task is to support them in these negotiations so that there can be no talk of Russia winning this confrontation, but this remains a difficult task,” the official said, emphasizing that progress in the current talks is evident.
Security guarantees
As Tusk explained, the Americans are convinced that together with Europe they will be able to create serious security guarantees for Ukraine.
“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. A Ukraine that is threatened by renewed aggression poses a major risk for Poland and for those countries located close to the front line,” the prime minister said.
The official noted that a clear statement from the American side about its readiness to participate in a system of security guarantees for Ukraine is of decisive importance.
Responding to a question about the presence of international military forces in Ukraine as a security guarantee, Tusk again stressed that Poland will have other responsibilities.
“We must ensure the security of the eastern flank, which is why we are now flying to Helsinki, among other places, to seriously discuss this issue. In any case, Poland will be a key hub - not only Jasionka, but also our ports and all logistics involved in Ukraine’s recovery,” the Polish prime minister said.
The prime minister added that for security guarantees for Ukraine to have real meaning, Poland will inevitably be involved in logistical activities. According to him, everyone understands this, and there is no pressure on Poland regarding this matter.
“This is our decision, an autonomous one. Poland itself decides where to send soldiers and where not to,” he added.
US has made it clear it is ready to respond to Russia militarily
Journalists asked Tusk whether the security guarantees for Ukraine are indeed being developed along the lines of NATO’s Article 5, which предусматриes mutual defense.
In response, the Polish official said that such a statement would be an exaggeration; however, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff made it very clear that the US would respond militarily in the event of renewed aggression by Russia.
“This is the first time I have heard American negotiators say that Witkoff made it very clear that America will provide Ukraine with security guarantees in such a way that the Russians will have no doubt that the American response will be military if Russia attacks Ukraine again. So, in a certain sense, it resembles Article 5, but I would not refer directly to Article 5, because that could only complicate further negotiations. Still, the statement we heard today truly has far-reaching consequences,” he replied.
