On 6 September 2026, representatives of Germany, France and large Britain participated in the final circular of talks between the USA and Ukraine in Kiev, but not Poland. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner discussed safety guarantees and the end of the war. For Warsaw, it is an alarm: we bear strategical costs and others take seats at the table.
Germany, France and the UK in the final round
Special envoy of U.S. president Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenski in Kiev. The talks were conducted in 3 rounds. The first 2 were attended by US and Ukrainian delegations. The last was joined by representatives of the United Kingdom, France and Germany, i.e. countries forming the political E3 format.
The Polish typical was not among them. “Rzeczpospolita” described E3 participation and the absence of Warsaw, besides pointing to tensions in Polish-Ukrainian relations, dispute over the legacy of UPA and tough policy of president Karol Nawrocki. However, no authoritative communication has been presented, which would confirm that these issues have decided on the composition of the meeting. The fact is simpler and serious enough: with an crucial talk about the safety of the region of Poland there was no need.
From Moscow to Kiev
Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Kiev after a Saturday gathering with Vladimir Putin in Moscow. It was their first authoritative visit to Ukraine, although they had talked many times earlier in the Kremlin. After both stages, no breakthrough was announced. Zelenski spoke about talks on safety and economical guarantees, air defence rocket supplies and winter support.
The American envoys hoped to resume trilogues with the US, Ukraine and Russia. The last circular of specified format took place in February. Witkoff emphasized the request for compromises, and Kushner reserved that there was no warrant of peace before winter. Their earlier way through Rzeszów showed the importance of the Polish backgroundbut logistics does not replace political influence.
Polish memory cannot be the price per place
If individual tries to explain the deficiency of Poland with Karol Nawrocki's hard position towards the worship of UPA, he reverses the order of responsibility. Warsaw has the right to request the fact about genocide in Volyn, worthy of burials of victims and honest historical dialogue. Resigning your memory cannot be a fee for letting you talk about our immediate security.
This does not mean that Polish diplomacy can halt at appropriate declarations. It must build channels of influence in Washington, Kiev, London, Paris and Berlin. Tough historical policy requires equally tough effectiveness in current policy. Peace cannot reward Russian aggression, and Poland should co-create guarantees that will safe the full east flank of NATO.
Backroom without a voice is not enough
Poland provides roads, railways, airports and its own territory for logistics operations related to Ukraine support. It bears the cost of defending the border, expanding the army and maintaining infrastructure crucial to allies. All the more reason not to accept the function of the corridor through which negotiators pass, while decisions are made without us.
Berlin, Paris and London defend their own interests. It's natural. The inactivity of Warsaw would be unnatural. The government should explain to the public whether it sought participation in the Kiev circular and what plan it has to enter into further negotiations. We request our own catalogue of conditions: permanent deterrence of Russia, protection of the east flank, clear principles of safety financing and real participation of Polish companies in post-war reconstruction.
At stake for Poles is the distance of Russian force from our borders, the amount of future defence spending and the position of the state in a fresh arrangement of forces. relationship with Ukraine does not require silence about history, and an alliance with the West does not mean approval to skip. Poland must regain its seat at the table, due to the fact that the countries absent from the negotiations will usually know the bill only after they have finished.
Source: ‘Rzeczpospolita’, talks in Kiev attended by E3, Bankier.pl for PAP, the course of talks
