During a press briefing Adam Szłapka explained why Poland was not represented at recent high‑level meetings in Washington, stressing that presidential invitations are directed to the current U.S. president and that a unified Polish foreign policy is essential.
Confusion Over Polish Representation at Ukraine Meetings
At a TVP press conference a journalist asked Adam Szłapka why Poland was absent from the White House meeting and whether the government would take responsibility. Szłapka replied that invitations to the White House are made to the sitting U.S. president— Donald Trump—and that any suggestion the invite was for someone else, such as Ukrainian President Zelenski, would be misleading. He recounted last week’s three Ukraine‑focused summits, noting that in two meetings attended by Trump, Poland was represented by Karol Nawrocki. Initially, Donald Tusk was slated to attend all three, but a last‑minute notification on Tuesday night informed the Polish side that Nawrocki would represent the country. Szłapka emphasized that Poland cannot have two foreign ministers simultaneously and that the government, not the foreign ministry alone, sets the policy.
Great Absence of Poland in Washington
Szłapka highlighted that during the Washington summit the European leaders met in the same format as the earlier Wednesday and Saturday video conferences. He pointed out that all information and notes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been transmitted but questioned why the Presidential Chancellery had not been more actively involved. He added that on Monday in Washington the leaders did not convene under the “Coalition of the Willing” format and cautioned that accepting responsibility for such gaps must come with full accountability. Szłapka underscored the necessity for a coherent Polish stance on European security and the need for all Polish institutions, including the presidency, to cooperate.
Donald Tusk Attended Two Additional Meetings on Ukraine
Adam Szłapka reported that Donald Tusk participated in two more Ukraine‑related meetings on Tuesday, August 19. The first, part of the “Coalition of the Willing,” took place around 12 p.m., after which Tusk attended an informal Council of Europe summit discussing enduring peace and security guarantees. The government spokesperson confirmed that Poland is likely to take part in future Ukraine negotiations.
Kaynaklar:
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https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/Donald-Tusk#anchorLink
https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/ministerstwo-spraw-zagranicznych#anchorLink
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