By Nur Asena Erturk
France and Poland Thursday expressed a common goal to achieve unity in Europe and peace in Ukraine.
“We have a common vision … that the only possible peace is durable peace, which means a peace negotiated by Ukrainians that would allow them to have long-term security solutions,” French President Emmanuel Macron told a joint news conference with Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw.
“We share … the same will to say: No peace in Ukraine without Ukrainians, which means nobody can discuss for Ukrainians, on their behalf, (about) concessions… It is up to Ukrainians to do it. Also, no security in Europe without Europeans,” Macron added.
He thanked Poland for its efforts to support Kyiv during the war.
Donald Tusk, for his part, reciprocally thanked Macron and France and emphasized the need for a “clear vision” of Europe and its neighborhood’s future.
The prime minister hailed the progress that Poland made along with the Nordic and Baltic countries in their efforts to bring a solution to the war in Ukraine.
“Following discussions, we observe the need of an absolute unity in Europe… to act in favor of peace in Ukraine,” Tusk explained.
He stressed that Poland was the country that carried the biggest burden regarding the war in Ukraine, including military and financial support.
“It is Poland that hosts the logistic hub, unique in its genre, that serves to transfer aid to Ukraine. We are the ones who carry the burden of security of the European Union’s eastern border,” he also said.
Macron is expected to return to Paris after a planned meeting with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda.