While emphasizing that both Moscow and Kyiv will need to compromise, Polish President Andrzej Duda said only leadership from the U.S. will bring peace to Ukraine.
“Today, my conclusions are absolutely clear. There is no one except the United States who can stop Vladimir Putin,” said Duda in an interview with Euronews, reported on by wPolityce.
The Polish head of state said that only Trump’s “determination” and “American pressure” will find a way to bring a deal for lasting peace, which “will not be comfortable for either side.”
Pointing out the high cost of the war for both Ukraine and Russia, Duda said, “It has to be a compromise (…) neither side will be able to say that they won this war.”
He did not know to what extent Zelensky would have to give in to Putin’s demands, nor how willing he is to give in at all, but he reiterated that both countries are being worn thin.
“The war is exhausting Russia and Putin is playing a risky game, and the war is destroying Ukraine in a terrible way,” he said.
On Trump’s overall foreign policy and negotiating style, Duda commented: “I expected Donald Trump to act this way, to pursue a very tough policy of evening out what he sees as imbalances in trade relations and protecting America’s interests.”
Trump has made headlines for coming down hard on Zelensky for being difficult to negotiate with and refusing to make any concessions. Many have claimed his tough stance against Ukraine has made him look like he is bending too easily to Putin.
However, in the wake of the recent bombing campaign on Kyiv carried out by Russia, Trump posted on his social media platform, telling Putin to “STOP!”
