Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Radosław Sikorski accused Putin of "playing cat-and-mouse" with US President Donald Trump after the leaders of Russia and Ukraine sent delegations — but not themselves — to direct talks in Istanbul last Friday.
"If President Trump finally concludes that Putin is simply stalling, Senator Lindsey Graham’s very tough sanctions package could be triggered," Sikorski told reporters.
"The European Union must not be weaker," he added.
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is drafting legislation that would impose sweeping penalties on Russia’s energy sales and banking sector if Moscow refuses to halt hostilities, according to reports.
Poland wants Brussels to mirror those measures by blacklisting more tankers in Russia’s "shadow fleet," which carries oil outside the G7 price cap, and tightening financial curbs that block the Kremlin's access to hard currency.
Sikorski also urged the bloc to boost military aid and invest directly in Ukrainian drone production, arguing the conflict has become “largely a drone war.
EU foreign ministers on Monday approved a 17th sanctions package, but several member states, including Poland, said work should begin immediately on a tougher 18th round if Russia rejects further peace efforts.
(jh/gs)
Source: IAR, Polskie Radio 24