Summit in Paris regarding Ukraine and security in Europe. Statements of Donald Tusk and other leaders

The talks took place on Monday afternoon. In addition to Donald Tusk, also the heads of government: Denmark (Matte Frederiksen), Spain (Pedro Sanchez), the Netherlands (Dick Schoof), Germany (Olaf Scholz), Great Britain (Keir Starmer) and Italy (Giorgia Meloni) were invited. Also the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, chairman of the European Council Antonio Costa and the Secretary General of NATO Marek Rutte.

Before 20 o'clock, the Donald Tusk conference was held. He said that all participants of the summit in “key matters” had a similar view to Poland. He stipulated, however, that this was just “an introduction to what would happen in the coming weeks and months”. “We are aware that such meetings do not end with decisions,” he said.

The prime minister said that European leaders agree that “it's time for a much greater Europe's ability to self -defense.” – There was also consent, unanimity that an increase – and this is a clear increase – defense expenditure is absolutely necessary – he added.

– Nobody had any doubt that it was needed to strengthen your actions when it comes to defending the eastern border (…). Everyone realizes that it is Poland and other countries from this Eastern European flank that will require special support – described the prime minister.

– (we have received – ed.) Very important confirmation, especially for us, that defense expenses will no longer be treated as excessive expenses, so we will not be threatened by the excessive deficit procedure, (….), defense expenses will no longer be treated as Excessive expenditure – the prime minister continued.

Tusk also informed that in the following days, EU institutions will present “specific proposals on how to use common European funds to defend, to strengthen the defense and military possibilities of the European Union.”

The head of government also added that “there will be some proposals regarding cooperation with banks.” He said that actions to increase defense expenditure would be taken on three levels – “national, European and banking”.

The head of the Polish government also assured that “European countries are the definite spokespersons for permanent peace in Ukraine.” – We will persuade all participants of this process to think about a durable room. The interruption of fire will not guarantee stability and safety. And here the position of European countries will be, I think, very consistent and clear – said Tusk.

As he said, the common view of European leaders is the desire to “strengthen cooperation, full of solidarity and unity between all allies” during talks on the guarantee of safety and durability of peace in Ukraine.

– The point is that Europe and the United States should cooperate very closely with each other. There can be no discrepancy here and of course we are definitely in favor of mutual, full support of the United States and Europe when it comes to future security and lasting peace in Ukraine – he explained.

The head of the Polish government also said that “there should be no decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine and no decisions when it comes to Europe's security without Europe.” He assured that “Europe is ready to engage in the process of stabilization and peace in Ukraine, because these decisions will in the future clearly affect the security of Poland and all of Europe.”

The prime minister was asked “about the impression” of European leaders after Munich in the context of European-American relations. – Without the support of the United States, it is difficult to imagine effective security guarantee, so this cooperation is very important – said Tusk. As he noted, “we should always act as jointly and severally as possible”.

– According to the Polish suggestion, we would like all future obligations to Ukraine, which Europe, or more than all allies would take, must be seriously – emphasized Tusk. He stated that “history cannot be repeated under any circumstances from Minsk 2 (signed in 2015 – ed.), Or Budapest, when Ukraine gave nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees from Great Britain, France and the United States” .

Tusk also referred to the fact that on Tuesday General Keith Kellogg, a special USA for Russia and Ukraine, was to come to Warsaw. He will meet with President Duda, and in the following days he will go to Kiev to meet with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelnski.

The prime minister said that Kellogg had already talked last week with the representative of the Polish government side, i.e. with the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski, as well as with the Polish ambassador at NATO Jacek Najder. Tusk said he authorized Sikorski to inform the president about the talks. – I am convinced, moreover, there have never been any worse differences in this matter that the president (will) present exactly the same position as the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – said the prime minister. – This is basically not subject to discussion, I have no sense of anxiety that there could be a discrepancy between the president and the government. In this matter, I have confidence in the president's actions – said the head of government.

“Today in Paris we confirmed that Ukraine deserves peace through strength. A room that respects independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and ensuring strong security guarantees. Europe fully bears its part of the costs of military aid for Ukraine. At the same time we need to strengthen defense in Europe” – she wrote after Ursula von der Leyen.

An entry on Platform X was also included in NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

“Europe is ready and willing to act. For conduct in ensuring a guarantee of security of Ukraine. We are ready and willing to invest a lot more in our safety. Details will have to be set, but commitment is something obvious” – he wrote.

On the other hand, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that “there can be no division of security and responsibility between Europe and the USA.” – In other words, NATO is based on the fact that we always act together and share the risk, thus ensuring our safety. This cannot be questioned – he added.

The meeting is related to the course of the Munich Security Conference, at which representatives of the US authorities declared that they did not see a place for Europe during negotiations about the end of the war in Ukraine.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister of Great Britain Keir Starmer also took the floor.

– Europe must play its role and I am ready to consider the involvement of British forces on the spot if a permanent peace agreement is concluded. However, there must be American security, because the US security guarantee is the only way to effectively stop Russia from re -attacking Ukraine – Starmer told reporters.

He added that “it is obvious that the United States will not leave NATO, but Europeans will have to try more.”