Polish prime minister cautiously optimistic about Ukraine talks, warns on Moscow

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he saw grounds for limited optimism about planned talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine, but warned that European governments should not mistake diplomatic contact for agreement on a ceasefire. His comments followed telephone discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Nordic leaders, according to NV.ua citing Polish reporting.

Tusk told a cabinet meeting that he had received a detailed account of the discussions involving Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The two had spoken with Putin as efforts continued to arrange a new round of negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States.

The Polish leader said he understood European participants to be cautiously hopeful that the proposed talks could be constructive. He nevertheless stressed the need for vigilance, saying Moscow's ambitions and negotiating priorities were already familiar to European governments.

Some reports placed a possible early round in Abu Dhabi on 4 November. Others referred to negotiations later in the month. The reviewed material did not include a final invitation list or a joint announcement settling the start date and format. No ceasefire agreement or direct meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had been confirmed.

NV.ua also cited a Reuters account attributed to a source close to the Kremlin saying that Putin would not compromise on Russia's demands concerning Donbas. That claim is an anonymous-source description of Moscow's position, not an outcome agreed by the parties at the negotiating table.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen questioned the Nordic leaders' direct engagement with Putin, according to the same reporting. Her response illustrated differences over how European governments should handle contacts with Moscow while the fighting continues.

US President Donald Trump said he expected a Putin–Zelensky meeting to be arranged soon. His expression of confidence did not provide a fixed date, location or assurance that either side had agreed to the meeting.

Poland has been a major supporter of Ukrainian defence and maintains a direct interest in the security terms of any settlement. Tusk's remarks signal support for diplomacy alongside concern that decisions affecting Europe and Ukraine should not be reached without their participation.