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Poland skeptical about results of Paris summit on Ukraine — deputy defense chief

According to Pawel Zalewski, Poland has "high expectations from the talks within NATO that are underway with Americans"

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Polish Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Zalewski has said that he holds no high hopes regarding the emergency summit on Ukraine and security, which is to be held on February 17 in Paris.

"I have no high expectations regarding the results of this summit," he told the TVP Info channel. "At the same time, we do have high expectations from the talks within NATO that are underway with Americans. <...> They need to ensure Ukraine's security in the near future. These will be substantial negotiations, with concrete possibilities and proposals addressed," he added.

On February 14, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski mentioned that French President Emmanuel Macron had invited European leaders to Paris for a meeting on Ukraine and European security. The AFP news agency also wrote that such a meeting was likely to take place. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot later confirmed this information. The emergency summit will be attended by the heads of governments of the UK, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and France, as well as President of the European Council Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

According to the Financial Times, the Paris meeting will focus on the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine, which are to be stationed behind the future ceasefire line, rather than on it. The Politico newspaper, citing diplomats, reported that the Paris meeting would address anti-Russian sanctions, aid to Ukraine, the use of frozen Russian assets, and the deployment of troops to Ukraine.

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Ukraine crisis Poland

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