In an interview on Euronews’ morning show Europe Today, Ignacy Niemczycki indicated that «Russia is currently not engaging in negotiations with sincere intentions» despite ongoing peace discussions.
Ignacy Niemczycki, Poland’s Secretary of State for European Affairs, expressed «strong hope» that the US will «persuade Russia to adopt a more inventive approach» in the trilateral peace talks set to resume this Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. He noted that while «Ukraine has put considerable effort into ending the conflict,» Russia appears to be «seeking to extend the dialogue.»
This session will mark the second round of talks after the previous negotiations last month concluded with minimal progress.
Speaking on Euronews’ main morning programme Europe Today, Niemczycki pointed out that Russian attacks on Kyiv’s civilian energy facilities demonstrate Moscow’s intention to continue the war. At present, Ukraine is facing extremely cold conditions, with temperatures plummeting to minus 20 degrees Celsius.
«We have observed Russia targeting both heat and electricity production. This is deeply troubling,» Niemczycki stated.
Nonetheless, Niemczycki maintains a sense of optimism.
«President Trump has stated that the negotiations show promise,» he conveyed to Euronews, adding that he anticipates «an agreement advantageous for Europe and the US» — as well as «for global peace, which is the real issue at hand.»
Regarding possible territorial concessions to Russia, he emphasized that such decisions should be left to the Ukrainian people.
«It is not our place to dictate what Ukraine should or should not do,» Niemczycki asserted, further highlighting that the negotiations «should exert pressure on Russia, not Ukraine.»
When asked about the recently proposed 2027 timeline for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, Niemczycki acknowledged that «it will be very challenging.» While he believes Ukraine could join the 27-member bloc soon, he suggested focusing less on the date and more on «the fact of Ukraine becoming part of the EU.»
Concerning recent events in Iran, Niemczycki remarked that Tehran’s classification of European countries’ armies as terrorist organizations «does not carry significant practical consequences.»
This declaration followed the EU’s decision last week to designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity.
According to Niemczycki, this move «sends a clear message to the Iranian regime that the recent suppression of protests is excessive, and fundamentally, the government cannot attack its own citizens.»