Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that European states will not agree to a revision of the NATO security framework in Russia’s favour as part of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Following the informal EU summit in Dublin on 13 November, he reaffirmed his support for the new E5 negotiating format, which will comprise the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Poland. European representatives will take part in the discussions alongside Ukraine, the US and Russia to ensure that decisions regarding the continent’s security are not taken without the involvement of Europeans themselves.
- Poland has rejected Russia’s demands for a review of the European security system.
- The E5 format will bring together five countries to take part in peace talks.
- European leaders are insisting on having their own representation in the diplomatic process.
- Moscow continues to demand restrictions on NATO’s military presence in Eastern Europe.
Tusk stated that Europe would not accept Russia’s security conditions
Speaking after the summit in Dublin, Donald Tusk stressed that peace talks should focus on ending the war in Ukraine, rather than on the redistribution of influence amongst the major powers.
«We must negotiate for peace in Ukraine – a just peace – as well as for Ukraine’s future within the EU and NATO. But under no circumstances will we agree to changes to the European security architecture that would benefit Russia.».
The Polish Prime Minister had previously warned that acceding to the Kremlin’s demands would pose a direct threat to the security of Poland and other countries on NATO’s eastern flank.
This refers, first and foremost, to Russia’s demand to limit the Alliance’s military presence to 1997 levels. Moscow revisited these proposals during negotiations with the US, effectively reiterating the terms of its ultimatum issued at the end of 2021.
Five European countries will take part in the negotiations on Ukraine
According to Tusk, European leaders informally backed E5 format with the participation of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Poland. Representatives of the European Union institutions will also join the negotiation process.
The President of the European Council is to represent the common European position António Costa. Representatives of the European Commission and national security advisers from the five countries will also take part in the work.
Poland will be represented on the negotiating team by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Robert Kupetsky.
Tusk emphasised that Poland would play an important role in shaping Europe’s common position on ending the war and future security guarantees for Ukraine.
Europe is insisting on peace talks, not concessions to Moscow
The issue of European countries’ participation came to the fore following talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with the Russian leadership.
According to the Polish side, US representatives briefed their European partners on the outcome of the Moscow talks during a separate meeting in Dublin.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz He also rejected the proposal to review the European security system in light of at Russia’s request. In his view, NATO remains the cornerstone of this system, and the negotiation process should focus on ending the war and providing security guarantees for Ukraine.
At present, the E5’s participation in the forthcoming consultations has been agreed at a political level. The specific dates and final format of the forthcoming meetings are still being finalised.
