Poland’s president has mentioned that fuel flows from Russia to Western Europe ought to by no means be restored, even when Russia and Ukraine attain a peace deal.

Andrzej Duda advised the BBC that the Nord Stream fuel pipelines, which haven’t been used since 2022, “needs to be dismantled”.

This, he mentioned, would imply the likes of Germany wouldn’t be tempted to revive Russian provides to boost its own struggling economy.

“I can solely hope that European leaders will study classes from Russia’s aggression in opposition to Ukraine and that they are going to push by a choice to by no means restore the pumping of fuel by this pipeline,” he mentioned.

The Polish president, talking on the World Financial Discussion board in Davos, insisted that financial sanctions in opposition to Russia had been working and European nations ought to resist strain from corporations to re-establish enterprise hyperlinks.

The Nord Stream fuel pipelines had been constructed by Russia’s fuel large Gazprom and run between Russia and northern Germany.

Nord Stream 1 was shut down in 2022 and Nord Stream 2 was by no means used, following the invasion of Ukraine. Each had been broken by explosions in 2022.

Gasoline costs in Europe surged after the shutdown and, in latest months, politicians from Germany’s far proper AfD social gathering have steered the Nord Stream fuel pipes ought to resume operations.

Germany will maintain federal elections on the finish of February.

“I imagine the Nord Stream pipelines needs to be dismantled,” Duda mentioned. “This pipeline causes a really large menace to Ukraine, to Poland, to Slovakia but in addition to different Central European nations.”

He added: “It’s a menace from the standpoint of vitality, from the standpoint of the navy but in addition it’s a large financial menace as a result of it means a domination of Russia over Europe within the financial sense.”

On the prospect of a deal between Ukraine and Russia now that US President Donald Trump has taken workplace, Duda insisted that no peace talks might happen with out the participation of Ukraine.

“I am saying that in my capability as president of the Republic of Poland, as a neighbour to Ukraine and in addition as president of a rustic who has had very exhausting historic experiences itself,” he mentioned.

“I am talking right here and referring to World Battle Two and to Yalta the place we weren’t included in these talks, the place sure agreements had been made past our heads after which we discovered ourselves behind the Iron Curtain, the place, for nearly 50 years, we had been a part of the Soviet sphere of affect,” he mentioned.

Trump had beforehand mentioned he would negotiate a settlement to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022 in 24 hours – he has since acknowledged it might take a while.

Duda mentioned it will be “a violation of worldwide regulation” for Russia to be allowed to carry on to territory it has occupied in Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin has mentioned he’s ready to barter an finish to the warfare, which first started in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea, however Ukraine must settle for the fact of Russian territorial positive aspects, that are presently about 20% of its land.

Putin additionally refuses to just accept Ukraine becoming a member of Nato, the navy alliance of Western nations.

Duda mentioned: “The worldwide group can’t agree, and it’s unacceptable that Russia would take sure territories of Ukraine and maintain them by drive. That is unacceptable.

“We should not let Russia win this warfare.”

Duda mentioned Trump “understands the area” and US involvement can be key.

“President Donald Trump – because the chief of probably the most highly effective nation inside Nato, because the chief of probably the most highly effective financial system – shall be of key significance,” mentioned Duda.

“I’m ready peacefully for the primary steps which shall be taken by Donald Trump.”