Ukraine may need to yield ground for peace, says Polish president

Polish President Andrzej Duda said in an exclusive interview with Euronews that the United States remains the only power capable of stopping Russia and ending the war in Ukraine, while warning that a future peace deal would require both sides, especially Ukraine, to make painful compromises.

“Today, my conclusion is absolutely clear—outside the United States, there is no one who can stop Vladimir Putin,” Duda said in remarks published on April 23. “That’s why I believe President Donald Trump, with his determination, can bring an end to this war (...) only this American pressure can truly end the war and help forge a peace that will not be comfortable for either side. But perhaps that is exactly what will make it sustainable.”

Speaking ahead of upcoming peace discussions involving US, European, and Ukrainian representatives, Duda stressed the need for a durable resolution to the war, even if it means Ukraine must give ground.

“It has to be a compromise,” he said. “In fact, in my personal view, the outcome should be such that neither side can claim it won the war, because each side will have to back down in some way. And Ukraine, too, will probably have to give ground in some way, because that’s likely what will happen. To what extent? At this stage, it’s hard for me to say.”

Duda also acknowledged the devastating toll the conflict has taken on both Ukraine and Russia. “The war is draining Russia; Vladimir Putin is playing a risky game. This war is terribly exhausting for Ukraine. These countries want to end the war. Each of them wants to win it—that’s natural,” he said.

His remarks come as diplomatic efforts intensify, with Washington reportedly proposing the recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea as part of a broader peace plan. The proposal has sparked outrage in Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking on April 22 ahead of the London meetings, categorically rejected any suggestion of ceding territory to Moscow. “There’s nothing to discuss here—this is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people,” Zelenskyy declared.

In response to Zelenskyy’s refusal, US President Donald Trump reportedly lashed out at the Ukrainian leader, accusing him of “expanding the killing field” by rejecting potential concessions that might lead to a ceasefire.

President Duda also offered insight into Trump’s leadership style and foreign policy, characterising it as unapologetically aggressive but consistent with his mandate to protect American interests.

“I expected Donald Trump to act exactly this way—with a very tough policy aimed at eliminating what he sees as imbalances in trade relations and at protecting America’s interests,” Duda said. “That was understandable to me, as he is the President of the United States, and so those interests must come first for him.” He added that Trump “is not a conventional politician,” implying that his unorthodox approach could bring results others have failed to achieve.

The statements underscore the growing divide over how to end the war in Ukraine, as well as the emerging role of the United States—and Trump specifically—as a possible broker in a settlement that may require deeply controversial trade-offs.

By Tamilla Hasanova