Polish President Andrzej Duda will meet Donald Trump in Washington on Saturday, according to Poland's state news agency PAP. The visit follows growing tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, raising concerns among European allies.
Duda recently advised Zelenskiy to maintain a calm and constructive approach toward Trump, emphasizing that the former U.S. president prioritizes global stability and peace. Duda, who has long been a close ally of Trump, previously enjoyed strong ties with him during his 2017-2021 presidency.
The meeting comes after Trump referred to Zelenskiy as a "dictator" and urged him to secure peace with Russia quickly or risk Ukraine's downfall. In response, Zelenskiy initially criticized Trump's stance, calling it influenced by Russian disinformation, but later softened his tone, stressing the importance of U.S. support in achieving lasting peace.
Zelenskiy confirmed he had a call with Duda discussing U.S.-Ukraine relations, particularly in light of talks led by Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg. “A strong and lasting peace can only be achieved through unity,” Zelenskiy wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday. While he refrained from revealing details of discussions on U.S. negotiations regarding Ukraine, Sikorski indicated that the U.S. remains committed to a long-term peaceful resolution.
Duda’s visit is expected to play a crucial role in navigating diplomatic ties as Ukraine faces increasing uncertainty over continued Western support.