RMF2412 hours agoWorld2 min read

Sikorski appealed to Trump: The results will appear when the pressure is on the aggressor

Quick Look

Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski asked US President Donald Trump not to put pressure on Kiev, but on the aggressor - Russia, in talks on ending the Russian-Ukrainian war.
He positively assessed the new package of sanctions against over 1,600 people and entities, calling it the strictest so far.
He pointed out that Russia has launched a full-scale invasion and remains a threat to Western security.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The Russia-Ukraine war has been going on since February 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Poland, as Ukraine's neighbor and NATO member, actively supports Kiev politically, militarily and humanitarianly. The United States plays a key role in providing assistance to Ukraine and in trying to resolve the conflict diplomatically. Recently, tensions have emerged in relations between President Trump and President Zelensky related to different visions of ending the war.

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Radosław Sikorski asked US President Donald Trump not to put pressure on Kiev in talks on ending the Russian-Ukrainian war.

We appreciate President Trump's commitment to trying to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. However, in Poland we believe that this will bring results if the pressure is put on the aggressor, not on the victim, said the head of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an interview with Bloomberg.

Sikorski emphasized that Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and remains a threat to the security of the West and world peace.

Poland supports new sanctions

The minister positively assessed the new package of restrictions against Russia, which covers over 1,600 people and entities. He called it "the toughest set of sanctions yet."

According to Sikorski, this is a response to Vladimir Putin's lack of willingness to make concessions. The Polish minister also expressed his belief that the tensions between Donald Trump and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, do not have to turn into a lasting political conflict.

Dispute over attacks on Russian refineries

Earlier, Donald Trump appealed to Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian refineries, which - according to the American president - threaten energy supplies around the world. Later he talked about the parties agreeing on the so-called energy ceasefire. However, neither party confirmed that such an agreement had actually entered into force.

Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Russia continues to attack Ukrainian energy infrastructure. According to the Ukrainian authorities, the agreement should cover actual protection of energy facilities, and not only limiting attacks on refinery installations.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The United States can maintain its current diplomatic approach without increasing pressure on Ukraine in the coming weeks.
Possible · Within weeks
The new package of sanctions against over 1,600 people and entities may be extended in the coming months if Russia does not show readiness to negotiate.
Likely · Within months

Open Questions

Will the United States change its approach to pressure on Ukraine in peace talks?
What will be the next steps in terms of sanctions against Russia after the current package is adopted?
Will it be possible to reach an agreement on the protection of energy infrastructure in both Ukraine and Russia?
How long can the current level of tensions in Polish-American relations persist in the context of Ukraine policy?