In a recent interview with Sky News, Poland's outgoing President Andrzej Duda expressed his unwavering admiration for Donald Trump and his belief that the former US president holds the key to resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Duda, whose tenure is drawing to a close, has consistently emphasized the importance of strong ties with the United States, particularly under Trump's leadership.

Duda characterized Trump's tariff policy as "shock therapy," a deliberate negotiating tactic employed by a businessman with a proven track record of success. While acknowledging that European politicians may find this approach unconventional, Duda stressed that Trump's primary responsibility is to the American taxpayer, urging allies to remain composed in the face of this evolving transatlantic dynamic.

Regarding negotiations with Vladimir Putin, President Duda expressed confidence in Trump's ability to handle the Russian leader. He cited Trump's actions during his first term, such as halting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and impeding Gazprom's energy ambitions, as evidence of his understanding of how to effectively counter Putin's influence. Duda highlighted the failures of European leaders in achieving peace through the Minsk accords, asserting that the onus now falls on Donald Trump to broker a fair and lasting resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

Despite the announcement of a US withdrawal from the Jasionka air base near Rzeszow, a crucial logistics hub for allied support to Ukraine, President Duda maintained that this decision did not come as a surprise. He revealed that Poland had been forewarned about the planned change and that discussions were underway to strengthen the American presence in Poland. Duda reiterated his aspiration to establish a significant US troop base, even suggesting the moniker "Fort Trump." The president's legacy is intertwined with his close relationship with Donald Trump, particularly as other NATO allies contemplate strategies for de-Americanization, explore new trade partnerships, and bolster their defense capabilities. Poland has distinguished itself as a leader in defense spending, allocating an impressive 4.7% of its GDP for 2025.

Drawing a parallel to the Canadian conservative party's experience, which suffered in the polls after Trump strained relations with Canada, Duda downplayed the potential for similar repercussions in Poland. He emphasized that security concerns take precedence in Poland, mitigating the impact of Trump's economic policies.

Meanwhile, further insights into potential strategies for resolving the Ukraine conflict have emerged. According to the Independent, Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who is considered to be Trump's Kyiv tsar, has suggested a plan to split Ukraine akin to post-war Berlin, with British and French forces controlling western regions and Kyiv ceding eastern territories to Moscow.