Pawel Kowal, head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Polish Sejm. Photo: Patryk Ogorzałek / Agencja Wyborcza.pl
International law and the territorial integrity of Ukraine are the key to peace in Central Europe. This position was voiced by Pawel Kowal, the Polish government’s adviser on Ukraine, who warned of a “historic mistake” that former US President Donald Trump could make if he recognises Russia’s claims to Crimea and Donbas as part of a potential peaceful settlement of the war.
This was reported by the Financial Times on the eve of Koval’s visit to Washington, where he plans to meet with representatives of the US Congress and Trump’s Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg.
“Recognition of new Russian borders as a consequence of aggression is crossing a red line not only for Poland, but for the whole of Central Europe,” Kowal said.
He noted that it is impossible to talk about Ukraine’s security while ignoring the security of the region, as Europe’s stability is based on internationally recognised borders established after the collapse of the USSR.
“Russia has officially recognised the territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea and Donbas. This is the basis of international law,” the Polish politician stressed.
According to him, if Trump’s talks with Moscow result in concessions, it will undermine international legal guarantees that have served as a pillar of peace in the region for decades. Koval also stressed that any attempts to separate military and political interests from security commitments are dangerous, as businesses and investors need clear security guarantees.
Although Trump did not include European leaders in his unofficial diplomatic initiatives on the war in Ukraine, Koval expressed hope that the former president would not allow Russia to legally secure the occupied Ukrainian territories.
“Peace without justice is not peace, but a temporary pause before the next war,” the adviser concluded.
