Late last night on Polish television, President Andrzej Duda reiterated the importance of American support for Ukraine, cautioning former U.S. President Donald Trump to remember that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is a KGB officer.” Duda’s comments came during an exclusive interview with journalist Michał Rachoń on Telewizja Republika.
“America’s support is crucial”
President Duda emphasized that without significant military and financial assistance from the United States, Ukraine would likely have fallen to Russia’s offensive long ago. He pointed out that “billions of dollars” in aid—especially in the form of military equipment—have enabled Ukrainian forces to stave off defeat.
“If it weren’t for Western help, from the U.S. in particular—billions of dollars in military equipment—Ukraine would have been occupied by Russia already,” President Duda stated. “Heroic defenders wouldn’t have been able to withstand the Russian onslaught.”
Poland’s early support
The Polish president also reminded viewers that Poland has supported Ukraine from the very beginning of the conflict. While some European countries offered only minimal equipment in the early days, Poland supplied both tanks and MiG aircraft.
“We saved Ukraine in that first phase. True, Germany was giving helmets, but we were giving tanks and MiGs,” Duda remarked. “We played our part, but it’s the United States that has provided the largest share of assistance so far.”
Despite these collective efforts, Duda acknowledged the war still rages on, and a lasting resolution remains elusive. “We cannot allow Russia to defeat Ukraine,” he insisted, adding that preventing a Russian victory was crucial not just for Ukrainian sovereignty but for the security of the entire region.
Trump’s negotiation stance
President Duda disclosed details of his conversation with Donald Trump regarding the path to ending the conflict. According to Duda, Trump believes he may be the only global leader capable of negotiating a settlement with Moscow.
“President Trump said very firmly that the war in Ukraine must end,” noted Duda. “He claims the only way to achieve that is to sit down and talk with Vladimir Putin.”
“Putin is a KGB officer”
However, Duda reminded Trump to bear in mind Russia’s background and leadership before any negotiations begin. He stressed that dealing with Vladimir Putin requires a clear-eyed approach:
“I told President Trump that we have to remember who we are negotiating with—Putin is a KGB officer,” said Duda. “I only mentioned it briefly, since I am convinced President Trump knows this perfectly well.”
Duda, the first European leader to meet Trump following his inauguration in 2017, underscored that while negotiation might be an important step, any such process must be approached with caution. He reiterated that the priority is to ensure Ukraine remains independent and that Russia’s aggression does not go unchecked.
As the war continues, President Duda’s remarks highlight the delicate balance of diplomatic efforts and military support. Both Poland’s role as a frontline NATO ally and the United States’ extensive military aid underscore the stakes involved: if Ukraine were to fall, it could shift the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe for years to come. For now, President Duda remains firm—no negotiation should ignore Putin’s origins in the KGB, nor undermine Ukraine’s rightful sovereignty.