The President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, said on Tuesday that the Russian Federation is starting to become interested in concluding peace, in the context of the economic decline and the loss of previously occupied territories.

The clarifications, made during a press conference held in Bucharest, concerned the recent statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a possible rapprochement of peace between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

'We all expect a lasting and just peace in Ukraine and I am glad that negotiations are being held in this discussion, but as for the words of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, I am skeptical. We know from the analyses of our internal security offices, we know what the situation in Ukraine looks like and the reports show us that, indeed, the Russian Federation, on the one hand, has lost more land in the war zone since the beginning of this year than it has occupied. On the other hand, we have the statistics at our disposal that show us the economic declines in the Russian Federation and, from this point of view, we observe that peace is also starting to become the interest of the Russian Federation', Nawrocki told a press conference held together with President Nicusor Dan at the Cotroceni Palace.

The Polish president expressed hope for a 'fair and just, long-term' peace. On the other hand, he said he was skeptical of Vladimir Putin's words.

Regarding the possibility of relocating American troops from Germany, Karol Nawrocki stressed the importance of keeping these troops in Europe.

'Yes, a relocation of American troops from Germany has been announced, and any responsible European leader, and I believe I am responsible, should strive to keep these soldiers in Europe. Of course, there is no doubt, especially on the Eastern Flank, that in the coming years, even decades, there is no alternative to the North Atlantic Alliance. If we receive such information, that the President of the United States might make this decision, we must think about the security of our region,' Karol Nawrocki said.

He mentioned that he had spoken to President Donald Trump on May 3 and told him that, if he makes such a decision, Poland is ready to receive American troops.

'Many leaders in the European Union, especially from the countries on NATO's Eastern Flank, have the same opinion. This is the direction we need to go, because in this way we guarantee the security of our country, as well as of the entire Eastern Flank. We are not acting against our western neighbors, but for our own security. So in Poland we are ready, we are prepared to receive American soldiers, because that would be good for Poland and for the countries on the Eastern Flank and within the B9', he specified. AGERPRES(RO - writing by: Irinela Visan; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)