Mateusz Morawiecki’s words on Wednesday came amid rising fears that a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine was on the cards, news agencies reported.
'Salami tactics'
The Polish prime minister told the country’s state-backed TVP World news channel: “I’m afraid that Russia has launched its salami tactic, meaning that it won’t stop in the two self-proclaimed ‘republics’ in eastern Ukraine, but will move further westward.”
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway areas in eastern Ukraine as independent and sent Russian troops to the separatist regions on what the Kremlin described as a “peacekeeping mission.”
The United States, the European Union, Britain, Canada, Australia and Japan have all since imposed sanctions on Moscow, including on Russian banks, Russia’s sovereign debt and the country’s elites.
Morawiecki commented: “The Kremlin is trying to create a new political order in which brutal might dominates over law, peace and democracy, which is extremely worrying.”
The Polish prime minister warned that Russia could also invade Ukraine from the north or the south, and vowed he would work for Western unity, sanctions against Moscow and the strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank amid the Russian threat.
EU leaders to hold emergency summit on Ukraine crisis on Thursday
Meanwhile, European Council President Charles Michel has called an emergency summit on Thursday to discuss the build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders, Poland’s PAP news agency reported.
Michel wrote on Twitter on Wednesday: “The use of force and coercion to change borders has no place in the 21st century. I am calling a special European Council tomorrow in Brussels to discuss the latest developments related to Ukraine and Russia.”
In an official invitation sent to EU leaders, Michel stated: “I would like to thank you for the unity shown over the last days notably through the swift adoption today of the sanctions package by Council.”
He added: “The aggressive actions by the Russian Federation violate international law and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. They also undermine the European security order.”
Michel also called on EU heads of state and government to “continue to be united and determined and jointly define our collective approach and actions.”
The Polish prime minister had earlier sent a letter to the Michel, urging him to call the summit in view of Putin’s moves with regard to Ukraine, the PAP news agency reported.
At the get-together, scheduled for 8 p.m. on Thursday, the EU leaders were expected to discuss the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis and explore ways to bring Russia to account and to support Ukraine, according to the news agency.
Ukraine declares state of emergency
Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby warned on Wednesday that Russia was poised to move into Ukraine, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Citing US intelligence agencies, Kirby said: “Russian forces continue to assemble closer to the border and put themselves in an advanced stage of readiness to act, to conduct military action in Ukraine.”
Also on Wednesday, Ukraine’s parliament approved a 30-day state of emergency in the country amid the Russian threat, news agencies reported.
Coming into force on Thursday, the measure limits the freedom of movement of conscripted reservists, restricts the media and introduces personal document checks, according to the Reuters news agency.
In a separate move, Kyiv has made military service compulsory for all men of fighting age.
The Ukrainian government on Wednesday told its citizens in Russia to immediately come home, while Moscow began evacuating its Kyiv embassy, according to news outlets.
Meanwhile, Putin said he is always open to finding diplomatic solutions, but stressed that "the interests of Russia and the security of our citizens are unconditional for us," Reuters reported.
At the same time, the separatist leader of one of the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, now recognised by Moscow as independent, has urged Ukrainian government forces to withdraw from the area that his self-proclaimed state stakes claim to, and take their weapons with them.
Denis Pushilin, the head of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic," on Wednesday told Russian state media that this would be “the optimal scenario,” according to Reuters.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters