Luanda, Angola – Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk issued a firm rebuke on Monday against any provisions in the emerging Ukraine-Russia peace framework that would undermine NATO's defensive posture or impose limits on Ukrainian forces, declaring such elements "a form of manipulation or a trap" likely originating from Moscow. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an informal EU summit289 in Angola's capital, Tusk emphasized Warsaw's unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, framing the conflict's resolution as inseparable from Poland's own security interests.
The gathering, convened by European Council President António Costa amid the broader EU-Africa Summit, brought together ten EU heads of state and government in person, with others joining virtually. Attendees included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and leaders from key nations like Germany, Sweden, and France. The closed-door discussions focused on refining the bloc's response to a controversial 28-point peace proposal advanced by the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump, which has drawn sharp criticism for its perceived favoritism toward Russian demands.
Tusk's comments came hours after EU leaders concluded a "serious" deliberation on the plan, which they described as requiring "further work" due to several "unacceptable" clauses. "There is no agreement that military weakening, i.e., so-called limits on the number of troops in Ukraine, is a condition for peace," Tusk stated, underscoring that such restrictions would erode the alliance's eastern flank. He added, "Everything indicates that this is a Russian perspective... No one will fall for it. We can assume that this point no longer exists."
The prime minister's remarks reflect broader European anxieties over the U.S. blueprint, which mandates Ukraine cap its armed forces at 600,000 personnel (down from its current estimated 880,000) and explicitly bars NATO troop deployments in the country during peacetime. In exchange, the plan proposes stationing European fighter jets in Poland as a compensatory measure, alongside U.S. security guarantees mimicking NATO's Article 5 mutual defense clause. However, Tusk and his counterparts view these as insufficient safeguards, particularly given the proposal's call for Ukraine to cede control of additional eastern territories and to forgo NATO membership indefinitely.
"No peace terms can favor the aggressor," Tusk asserted, echoing a consensus among EU leaders that the framework must prioritize Ukraine's territorial integrity and reject any recognition of Russia's annexations, such as Crimea and portions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts. He further stressed the need for continued sanctions on Moscow to compel genuine concessions, warning that easing them prematurely would reward aggression. On the issue of Russia's frozen assets (estimated at over €300 billion held in EU accounts), Tusk announced determination to repurpose them for Ukraine's reconstruction by the December European Council meeting. "Europe cannot be made to pay for what Russia has done," he said.
The Angola summit follows a weekend of intense diplomacy in Geneva, where U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Ukrainian counterparts. There, the parties reportedly agreed on an "updated and refined" version of the 28-point document, incorporating some European revisions but still falling short of Kyiv's red lines on military caps and territorial withdrawals. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, facing domestic pressures, has signaled openness to dialogue but reiterated that any deal must allow Ukraine to defend itself robustly.
European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, emerged from the Luanda talks with cautious optimism, hailing a "new momentum" in negotiations while insisting on Russia's direct involvement for substantive progress. Von der Leyen described the Geneva outcomes as a "solid basis," but emphasized that "a lot of work remains," particularly on ensuring no limitations on Ukrainian forces and the full return of abducted children (another EU non-negotiable).
Poland's stance is rooted in its frontline position, sharing a 535-kilometer border with Ukraine and having provided billions in military aid since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Warsaw has hosted over 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees and positioned itself as a bulwark against potential spillover threats, repeatedly warning that a weakened Kyiv would invite further Russian adventurism toward NATO's eastern members. Tusk, who returned to power in late 2023, has prioritized transatlantic unity but drawn clear lines on concessions that could "weaken Poland, Europe, or our security." "The collapse of Ukraine means a threat to Poland. I hope everyone understands this, including in Poland," he remarked.
The 28-point plan's origins remain murky, with Tusk questioning its authorship and suggesting it may have been heavily influenced by Russian input. Moscow has praised many provisions as acceptable but called for detailed discussions on revisions, including the European counter-proposal that deletes territorial concessions and raises the military cap to 800,000 troops. President Vladimir Putin has described the framework as a potential foundation for a final peace agreement, though he has rejected direct talks without preconditions.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged the plan contains many good elements but urged refinements to align with alliance principles, declining to endorse troop limits that could signal weakness.
As winter sets in, the war's toll mounts: Russian missile strikes on Ternopil killed at least 26 civilians last week, while Ukrainian forces report holding lines in Donetsk despite ammunition shortages. Zelenskyy has reiterated Kyiv's readiness for a just peace but warned against rushed deals that ignore battlefield realities.
Tusk concluded his Angola remarks on a note of resolve: "We all want this war to end and for a just peace to prevail. That’s obvious. We will support Ukraine." He pledged to avoid entangling Poland in unwanted guarantees, stating, "I will not authorize, and I will not take on our shoulders any guarantees we do not wish to make."
The Angola summit underscores a European bid to reclaim agency in a process initially driven by Washington's unilateral approach, as leaders navigate the delicate balance between ending the bloodshed (now in its fourth year) and preserving a rules-based international order. For Poland, the stakes remain existential: a fragile peace today could mean fortified borders tomorrow.
