A top Polish official has warned that the United States must not recognize Russia’s land gains in Ukraine. Paweł Kowal, an advisor to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, said that if former U.S. President Donald Trump agrees to Russian demands during peace talks, it could be a serious mistake for Europe’s security.
In an interview with The Financial Times on Sunday, Kowal said, “Recognizing borders changed by war would cross a red line for Central and Eastern Europe.”
He added that any move by the U.S. to accept Russia’s control over parts of Ukraine would break international law and risk long-term peace in the region.
Peace Talks Raise Concerns Across Europe
Kowal’s comments come ahead of his visit to Washington. He is set to meet members of the U.S. Congress and Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy on Ukraine.
Kowal warned that there is a major difference between efforts to end the war and meeting Russian demands. He said, “Ending the fighting is one thing, but accepting Russian control over Crimea, Donbas, or other areas would be a historical mistake.”
He also said that such a deal would create a dangerous example. It could give Russian President Vladimir Putin more power to expand his vision of “imperial Russia” — a return to controlling lands once part of the Soviet Union or Russian Empire.
What Russia Wants from the War
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, it has taken over several regions, including Crimea (annexed in 2014), and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
Moscow wants the world to recognize these areas as Russian territory. But Ukraine and its allies, including Poland, say this cannot happen.
Kowal reminded readers that after the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia agreed to respect Ukraine’s borders — which included Crimea and the eastern territories.
“Those agreements are part of international law,” he said. “And the peace of Central Europe depends on them.”
Trump’s Peace Efforts and European Worries
Since January, Trump has made quick moves to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. He has said he wants to be remembered as a “peacemaker.”
In February, Trump’s team began holding peace talks with Russian and Ukrainian officials. These meetings took place in Saudi Arabia. However, Trump did not include European countries in these talks. That decision has raised concerns in cities like Warsaw, Berlin, and Paris.
Kowal said, “It’s very hard to talk about Ukraine’s security without thinking about the whole region.” He stressed that any peace deal must include strong guarantees — both political and military — to Ukraine and its neighbors.
Business and Security Go Hand in Hand
Kowal also spoke about Ukraine’s future economy. He said U.S. companies will only invest in Ukraine if there are real security guarantees in place.
“If real money is going to come into Ukraine, companies will ask for serious American support,” he said. “You cannot separate business safety from military protection.”
Trump has so far ruled out giving security promises to Ukraine. But Kowal hopes that will change as talks go forward.
International Reactions and the Bigger Picture
European leaders continue to watch Trump’s approach with caution. Many worry that pushing Ukraine to give up land would reward aggression. They fear it could send a message to other countries that war can be used to change borders.
The United Nations and NATO have both said that Ukraine’s borders must be respected. In 1994, under the Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for protection of its sovereignty by the U.S., U.K., and Russia.
Recognizing Russian control over Ukrainian land would break those past promises, critics say.
What’s Next?
Kowal’s visit to the U.S. is seen as a key step in building unity among Western allies. He hopes to remind American leaders of Europe’s shared history — and the risks of allowing Russia to reshape borders by force.
“The U.S. has been a strong ally of Europe,” he said. “We believe it will stay that way.”
As Trump’s team continues negotiations, the world will be watching for signs of how future peace might take shape — and at what cost.
