Tusk warns of 'tough days ahead' after Ukraine talks with Trump
Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland (Getty Images)
The talks in Istanbul show that Russia is still not ready for a ceasefire, and "tough days lie ahead," warned Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, according to RMF24.
The Polish Prime Minister made his statement after holding a phone call with US President Donald Trump, joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
According to Tusk, the talks revealed that Russia is showing no goodwill.
"The Russian side had no intention of negotiating in the presence of the American side. It presented conditions that were unacceptable not only to Ukraine but to all of us," Tusk emphasized.
The Prime Minister added that the West will continue working toward peace in Ukraine, and that the main priority is to maintain European and American unity on this issue.
"We make no secret of the fact that Russia's position can hardly be called constructive. Only tough days lie ahead," he said.
Tusk also stressed that Russia effectively derailed the talks in Istanbul, and that it is now time for the West to increase pressure.
Talks in Istanbul
Ukraine and Russia held negotiations today, May 16, in Istanbul. One of the key outcomes was an agreement on the largest prisoner exchange since the start of the war.
However, the parties failed to reach a ceasefire agreement. Russia opposed such a move without its conditions being met.
