Donald Tusk, former President of the European Council and a key figure in European politics, has issued a powerful appeal to Western leaders from Lviv, the symbolic heart of Western Ukraine. His words, urgent and determined, call for collective responsibility. The time for hesitation is over: “Stop speculating about Ukraine’s possible defeat. It has nothing to do with the facts.”

With this blunt and resolute statement, Tusk aims to dispel the creeping pessimism within certain European and transatlantic circles. His message is not just a call for solidarity but a challenge to the inertia and fear that risk undermining the West’s commitment. “Ukraine, despite some naysayers, defends itself effectively against the Russian aggression, even though no-one gave it a chance in the first days of the war.”

The resilience of Ukraine is not a myth—it’s a reality that should bolster Western confidence. Tusk doesn’t merely highlight Kyiv’s military successes; he urges leaders to look ahead: “Now is the time for the whole West to believe in its own strength, possibility, and its ability to convince all the actors of this great game that Ukraine and the whole world deserve just peace, and respect for territorial integrity and borders.”

This is not only a message of support for the Ukrainian people but also a warning to Western leaders: hesitation equals surrendering ground to the aggressor. As Tusk reminds us, faith in the West’s collective power is essential—not just for winning battles, but for upholding the principles of international law.

A Challenge to Fatalism

Tusk strikes directly at fatalism. “Do you remember? You remember it best,” he asks, recalling moments when the West demonstrated strength and unity in the past. His words are a reminder of that confidence, which he believes is now wavering. But it’s also a warning: “We can no longer hesitate.”

The Lviv appeal is more than a speech—it’s a call to action. Tusk knows that time is not on Ukraine’s side, nor on the West’s. Every hesitation, every sign of weakness, emboldens the aggressor and weakens the coalition supporting Kyiv.

The Message Behind the Words

The power of Tusk’s message lies in its simplicity: no ambiguous phrases, no diplomatic hedging. His stance is crystal clear. The West has a moral and strategic duty to support Ukraine to the very end—not just to protect its sovereignty, but to uphold the principles that underpin the global order.

Speaking from a city that has witnessed the horrors of war up close, Tusk offers a clear-eyed and determined perspective: this is not the moment to give in to cynicism or fear. It’s the moment to believe, to act, and to prevail.