Poland's Duda Urges Trump to Compel Putin 'to make peace'
Polish President Andrzej Duda is advocating for President Trump to implement stringent sanctions aimed at pressuring Putin into negotiations.
TroibNews 
Polish President Andrzej Duda stated on Monday that he is urging Donald Trump to intensify sanctions against Russia to help bring an end to the ongoing war. Duda believes that Trump is uniquely positioned to compel Vladimir Putin to engage in negotiations.
“America can use various economic instruments to force Russia to respect certain actions,” Duda asserted to the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, part of PMG. He added, “So if anyone is in a position to force Vladimir Putin to make peace, it is America, the president of the United States.”
Duda's remarks echo the sentiments of numerous European leaders who are looking for Trump to leverage American influence with Putin, particularly after Trump has primarily pressured Ukraine to make concessions, such as asserting that Kyiv would never join NATO and proposing peace terms that would require Ukraine to relinquish control of Crimea. Recently, the U.S. and Ukraine finalized a minerals agreement that Trump hoped would signal to Putin an acceptance of his peace terms.
When Trump took office, he pledged to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine within a day. Since then, he has sought a swift resolution and has sent his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow for discussions with President Putin, but these efforts have yet to lead to a relaxation of Russia's demands.
However, Trump has hinted at a possible shift in his approach. Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome last month, Trump indicated he was contemplating sanctions against Moscow due to continuing attacks on civilian areas.
Duda mentioned that Trump has “seen the reality” after recent talks with Putin and possesses “the right tools to block Putin's fundamental interests.”
“He can see what his position is and to what extent he is ready to engage in serious talks about ending the war,” Duda remarked.
He further emphasized, “The president of the United States has the means at his disposal to force Russia to comply. Some of these means may be very radical, very harsh, I believe, especially various economic instruments. But I believe that President Donald Trump is capable of implementing them.”
Trump’s initial enthusiasm about resolving the conflict seems to be diminishing. In an NBC interview aired on Sunday, he stated, “maybe it’s not possible to do.” Nevertheless, he has indicated that he is still committed to the process, though he noted the option to withdraw remains available to him.
Still, Trump asserted on Monday that “we're in a good position to settle. They want to settle. Ukraine wants to settle.”
The White House is reportedly considering more measures to pressure Russia, with sanctions being a potential next move, as PMG reported last week.
Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham has introduced legislation to impose new sanctions on Russia and 500 percent tariffs on nations buying Russian oil, gas, and aluminum, with considerable bipartisan backing.
Duda also expressed confidence that Trump will continue to support the NATO alliance, which is set to convene for its annual summit in June at The Hague. While Trump has suggested an increase in spending to 5 percent of GDP, Duda has proposed a more moderate goal of 3 percent.
“There are different proposals, 3.5 percent, some say 5 percent. I say let's be calm: let's decide now for three percent, and all countries should act quickly and increase their levels,” he stated during the interview.
Schwartz reported from Washington, while Ronzheimer of BILD contributed from Warsaw.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
“America can use various economic instruments to force Russia to respect certain actions,” Duda asserted to the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, part of PMG. He added, “So if anyone is in a position to force Vladimir Putin to make peace, it is America, the president of the United States.”
Duda's remarks echo the sentiments of numerous European leaders who are looking for Trump to leverage American influence with Putin, particularly after Trump has primarily pressured Ukraine to make concessions, such as asserting that Kyiv would never join NATO and proposing peace terms that would require Ukraine to relinquish control of Crimea. Recently, the U.S. and Ukraine finalized a minerals agreement that Trump hoped would signal to Putin an acceptance of his peace terms.
When Trump took office, he pledged to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine within a day. Since then, he has sought a swift resolution and has sent his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow for discussions with President Putin, but these efforts have yet to lead to a relaxation of Russia's demands.
However, Trump has hinted at a possible shift in his approach. Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome last month, Trump indicated he was contemplating sanctions against Moscow due to continuing attacks on civilian areas.
Duda mentioned that Trump has “seen the reality” after recent talks with Putin and possesses “the right tools to block Putin's fundamental interests.”
“He can see what his position is and to what extent he is ready to engage in serious talks about ending the war,” Duda remarked.
He further emphasized, “The president of the United States has the means at his disposal to force Russia to comply. Some of these means may be very radical, very harsh, I believe, especially various economic instruments. But I believe that President Donald Trump is capable of implementing them.”
Trump’s initial enthusiasm about resolving the conflict seems to be diminishing. In an NBC interview aired on Sunday, he stated, “maybe it’s not possible to do.” Nevertheless, he has indicated that he is still committed to the process, though he noted the option to withdraw remains available to him.
Still, Trump asserted on Monday that “we're in a good position to settle. They want to settle. Ukraine wants to settle.”
The White House is reportedly considering more measures to pressure Russia, with sanctions being a potential next move, as PMG reported last week.
Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham has introduced legislation to impose new sanctions on Russia and 500 percent tariffs on nations buying Russian oil, gas, and aluminum, with considerable bipartisan backing.
Duda also expressed confidence that Trump will continue to support the NATO alliance, which is set to convene for its annual summit in June at The Hague. While Trump has suggested an increase in spending to 5 percent of GDP, Duda has proposed a more moderate goal of 3 percent.
“There are different proposals, 3.5 percent, some say 5 percent. I say let's be calm: let's decide now for three percent, and all countries should act quickly and increase their levels,” he stated during the interview.
Schwartz reported from Washington, while Ronzheimer of BILD contributed from Warsaw.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
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