Polish President Andrzej Duda sees no reason to negotiate with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and believes that Western leaders are wasting their time.
He said this in an interview with the German newspaper Bild.
“I am impressed by the ongoing talks with Putin. Chancellor Scholz, President Emmanuel Macron. These conversations are useless. What are they doing? They are only legitimizing the person responsible for the crimes committed by the Russian army in Ukraine. He is accountable for this. He decided to send troops there. Commanders are subordinated to him. Vladimir Putin. Did anyone talk to Adolf Hitler like that during World War 2? Did anyone say that Adolf Hitler needs to save face? What should we do so that it is not humiliating for Adolf Hitler? I haven’t heard such things,” Duda said.
He also stressed that nothing can be agreed upon without the consent of the Ukrainian leadership.
“I would be most interested in the Ukrainian defense receiving such support that it can drive the Russians out of its territory. From all over the territory of the internationally recognized Ukraine. Everyone knows what an internationally recognized territory is. So that we can restore the primacy of international law, preserve the order that had existed in Europe after 1989, which is recognized by all. And which Russia has repeatedly undermined. Politically, internationally recognized borders must be restored,” Duda said.
Macron reportedly said it was important not to humiliate Russia so that a diplomatic ramp-off could be found when hostilities in Ukraine ceased, although he said he considered Putin’s decision to start a war a fundamental historical mistake. He also said he saw France’s role as a mediator.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine replied that calls to prevent the humiliation of Russia can only humiliate France or any other country that will call for it.
