Donald Tusk made the remarks at the start of a Cabinet meeting after taking part earlier in the day in high-level remote talks on ending Russia's war in Ukraine.
The discussions included leaders from key European countries, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and the heads of European Union institutions, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
'Peace is on the horizon'
"We assessed the results of the first phase of very serious negotiations involving the leaders of Ukraine, Europe, the United States and Canada," Tusk said.
"Peace is on the horizon," he added.
He said a peace agreement could be reached within weeks rather than months or years, citing US declarations that Washington would offer security guarantees for Ukraine following a settlement.
US officials said such guarantees could include the deployment of troops, for example along the border or a contact line between Russia and Ukraine, according to reports.
"This is the first time such rather clear declarations have been made," Tusk said, adding that it remained to be seen "how consistent our partners across the Atlantic will be."
Tusk also said that a peace deal would likely require Ukraine to make compromises on territorial issues. He suggested such decisions could ultimately require a referendum in Ukraine.
With major decisions potentially imminent, Tusk said Poland’s government and president must act in concert on the international stage to safeguard national interests.
He confirmed receiving a note from President Karol Nawrocki following a video call on Sunday involving European leaders after talks between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Nawrocki represented Poland in that call.
Tusk said his office would brief Nawrocki on Tuesday's talks as well.
'Let’s coordinate our actions very precisely'
He added that the Trump administration "prefers dealing with the Polish president," while in Europe "the government is regarded as the main partner."
"Let’s draw conclusions from this and coordinate our actions very precisely," Tusk said. "This is key for Poland’s security."
Sunday's meeting between Trump and Zelensky at Trump’s Florida estate was followed by a video call with European leaders. Both presidents said progress had been made toward ending the nearly four-year war.
Zelensky said the sides had agreed on US security guarantees for Ukraine, while Trump said those guarantees were about "95 percent" settled, though several issues remain unresolved.
Among them is the future of Ukrainian-held territory in the eastern Donbas region, which Trump suggested Ukraine should relinquish to Russia.
Tusk warned on Monday that the West and Ukraine risked losing to Russia if Moscow succeeded in dividing its opponents and imposing the terms of a peace deal.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP