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Poland seeks EU ban on Russian energy, but Germany, others 'not ready': PM

25.03.2022 23:00
Poland is seeking the toughest possible European Union sanctions on Russia over its aggression against Ukraine, but member countries such as Germany and Austria are not ready to ban Russian energy, the Polish prime minister has said. 
Polands Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki speaks to reporters during a European Union summit in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday, March 25, 2022.
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki speaks to reporters during a European Union summit in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday, March 25, 2022.PAP/Mateusz Marek

Mateusz Morawiecki made the statement at a news conference in Brussels, Belgium on Friday, the state PAP news agency reported.

It came after a two-day summit of EU leaders on the bloc's further response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Morawiecki said that EU leaders had decided to adopt “another serious sanctions package" in recent days.

He added that this was partly inspired by a video call with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

'Germany, Austria and Hungary are not ready'

The Polish prime minister said that his country had advocated for “the most far-reaching sanctions,” including an embargo on Russian gas and oil, but “sadly countries such as Germany, Austria and Hungary are not ready for this.”

Morawiecki said he had outlined a 10-point plan that also includes a ban on Russian propaganda, closure of European ports to Russian ships and expulsion of Russia from international organisations, among other sanctions.

Rejecting Russian hydrocarbons

He added that next week his government would unveil a plan for Poland to renounce Russian hydrocarbons.

In addition, a proposal will be made to parliament “to confiscate the wealth of Russian oligarchs,” Morawiecki said.

He also told reporters that more EU countries were expressing approval for Poland’s plan to send a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine, “but we agree that it should be a NATO mission,” he stressed.

The Polish prime minister also said that talks were under way “with the EU and other countries” for Poland to be reimbursed the costs of helping refugees from war-torn Ukraine. 

Friday was day 30 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Poland on Friday reported it had welcomed 2.24 million refugees fleeing Russia's attack on Ukraine.

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda this month signed into law a measure to offer wide-ranging support to Ukrainians escaping the Russian invasion of their country, which began on February 24.

The measure grants them legal residence in Poland and ensures access to education, healthcare and social benefits.

(pm/gs)

Source: IAR, PAP