Amid growing speculation about Western military intervention following a potential Ukraine-Russia ceasefire,
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has affirmed Poland’s current lack of plans to deploy troops to Ukraine. Tusk made this statement during a Thursday press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Warsaw. Poland, a staunch Ukraine supporter and incoming EU Council president, is firmly stating its position.
“To quell speculation about potential troop deployments in Ukraine post-ceasefire… decisions regarding Poland will originate solely in Warsaw,” Tusk declared. “We are not currently planning such actions,” he emphasized.
His remarks follow media reports suggesting France and the UK are considering sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine to monitor a potential ceasefire. Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also addressed the issue, stating that German troop deployment is “out of the question” without a “real ceasefire.”
Earlier this month, a senior NATO official, speaking to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, suggested the proposed deployment aimed to ensure European NATO members maintain influence in Ukraine’s conflict resolution after the US presidential transition.
Tusk confirmed discussing the troop deployment scenario with Macron, telling reporters “We have discussed it.”
Both Macron and Tusk agree that the timing of peace talks rests solely with Ukraine.
Macron confirmed discussions with Tusk centered on Ukraine and the post-war period, without providing specifics.
A Wednesday report in Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, citing diplomatic sources, indicated Macron’s visit aimed to discuss a potential 40,000-strong international peacekeeping force.
Russia has consistently rejected a ceasefire, insisting on achieving its military objectives, including Ukraine’s neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.
Moscow maintains that any settlement requires Ukrainian forces to withdraw from Russian-claimed territories, protection of Russian-speaking populations, and Ukrainian neutrality.