Slovak FM: Poland Should Have a Seat at the Table in Ukraine Peace Talks

European leaders failed to reach a consensus this week on whether to open contacts with Russia, as debate over Ukraine peace negotiations continues to divide the European Union. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Siroski called for Poland to be included in any future talks concerning Ukraine, arguing that Warsaw deserves a place at the negotiating table given its direct stake in the conflict's outcome. The remarks came on the sidelines of a European Council summit — the EU's top decision-making body, composed of heads of state and government — where the question of potential engagement with Moscow proved deeply contentious. Poland, which shares a border with both Ukraine and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, has been one of the most vocal advocates for strong Western support for Ukraine and has significantly expanded its own military capacity since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The lack of European unity on how to approach Russia underscores the broader diplomatic tensions within the bloc as the war in Ukraine continues into its fourth year.