Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has indicated that a resolution to the war in Ukraine might be closer than anticipated, suggesting a potential breakthrough could emerge in the coming weeks. His comments follow discussions with other NATO leaders and come amidst a renewed diplomatic push spearheaded by former US President Donald Trump.
Poland's Call for Tough Compromises
In a significant statement, Tusk stressed that any viable peace deal would necessitate difficult decisions from Kyiv. He explicitly mentioned that tough territorial compromises would be required, potentially even involving a public referendum in Ukraine to legitimize such concessions. The Polish leader's remarks hint at a growing sentiment within some NATO circles that Ukraine's maximalist demands may need to be tempered for negotiations to succeed.
Trump's Framework and New Security Guarantees
The backdrop to Tusk's prediction is a flurry of diplomatic activity. Donald Trump is reportedly pushing a nearly finalized peace framework and has held separate talks with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Tusk pointed to new security guarantees from the United States as a key sign of progress. These guarantees, he suggested, could potentially involve the presence of American troops as part of a future security arrangement for Ukraine, a move aimed at assuring Kyiv's safety in exchange for compromises.
High Tensions and the Path Forward
Despite the optimistic tone regarding peace, the situation remains fraught. Tusk's comments arrive amid high tensions following recent allegations of drone attacks, underscoring the fragile and volatile context of the conflict. The Polish Prime Minister's message, delivered on December 30, 2025, serves as a public nudge to Ukraine, suggesting that the window for a negotiated settlement, backed by Western security assurances, may be opening. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this predicted breakthrough materializes.
