Peace in Ukraine is unlikely to be reached before winter, Polish PM says

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed strong doubts about the possibility of peace in Ukraine anytime soon, predicting that Russia will extend the conflict at least until winter. Tusk cited Russia's rigid stance as the primary obstacle to a ceasefire or peace agreement.

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At this point, it seems unlikely that a ceasefire or peace agreement will be reached in the near future, given the rigid stance of Russia and Putin.

Speaking to journalists in Paris, Tusk mentioned that he had discussed the grim outlook with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "Everyone expects an escalation of actions from Russia at this time," Tusk stated, adding that it is "quite likely that Russia will want to prolong this war at least until the winter."

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Everyone expects an escalation of actions from Russia at this time, and it's quite likely that Russia will want to prolong this war at least until the winter.

In preparation for a future peace agreement or ceasefire, Poland is organizing military exercises with French and British troops for the autumn. These exercises aim to prepare a coalition of willing nations to provide security guarantees for Ukraine and the wider region. Tusk described the drills as a means to prepare the coalition for "real security guarantees for Ukraine, but also for the region."

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These will be exercises that prepare the entire coalition (of the willing) gathered today in Paris for such real security guarantees for Ukraine, but also for the region.