Responding to the questions of Polish Radio, the Elysée Palace emphasized that there is no permanent exclusion of Poland from talks about the future architecture of peace for Ukraine. The French explain that the Geneva gathering was held in the US-defined format of the alleged Quad, in which the United States, Ukraine and the major European capitals – Paris, Berlin and London play a key role.
At the same time, they reserve that another partners, including representatives of Italy and Canada, were present in practice at the table. This is to show that the format is flexible, and consultation on the US proposal is not limited to a narrow group of countries.
Controversies around the absence of Warsaw
The deficiency of a Polish negotiator in Geneva caused a dismay and question in Warsaw whether a country which is 1 of the main hubs of military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine was not pushed to the sideline. The fact that Poland is to be mentioned in 1 of the points of the American plan as an crucial component of future safety guarantees is peculiarly sensitive.
Paris answers that there is no backroom game or force from European leaders. According to the Elysée Palace, it is about the efficiency and effectiveness of talks in a limited group, while a wider consultation with Poland is to take place in parallel within the framework of the "candidate coalition" of more than 30 countries supporting Ukraine.
Poland is the key neighbour of Ukraine
The French admit that the location of Poland as a country bordering both Russia and Ukraine gives it a unique function in the regional safety system. They emphasize that Warsaw has been an crucial player in the transfer of support for Kiev from the beginning and actively participates in political consultations within a wide coalition supporting Ukraine.
The assurances from the Elysée Palace are so intended to calm the moods after the Geneva talks: according to Paris, the fact that the Polish typical did not attend this peculiar gathering does not mean either marginalization or building a "new order" above the heads of Warsaw. However, what will yet be the process of including Poland in subsequent stages of negotiations? This is simply a question to which allies will rapidly gotta give more concrete answers.
