Poland says can help overcome ‘dilemma’ of US position on Ukraine

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Sunday said Poland could use its friendly ties with Washington to persuade the United States to be more supportive of Ukraine, ahead of talks with European allies.

Tusk called the US position on Ukraine a “dilemma” and said “we have to transcend this dilemma,” adding that Poland “will be more heard” because of its high defense spending and “very good relations with the Americans.”

Speaking ahead of the summit in London where European powers will be joined by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Tusk said Poland was in “a unique situation.”

Tusk was speaking after a heated clash in the White House on Friday between Zelenskyy and US President Trump that has cast doubt on continued US support for Ukraine.

The new US administration has initiated a rapprochement with Russia and Trump and Vice President JD Vance have often echoed Kremlin talking points on the conflict.

“Poland is on the side of Ukraine without any ‘buts’,” Tusk said, adding: “The position of the Washington administration is not as clear as our position on the Ukraine-Russia issue.”

“Europe has awakened,” said Tusk, a former European Council chief, supporting a call from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for a summit between the European Union and the United States.

He also urged European countries to help Poland and the Baltic states strengthen their borders with Russia and Belarus, including by sending troops.

“I will convince our partners of this,” he said.