Poland criticises long consideration of new sanctions against Russia: "We are losing precious time"

Andrzej Sadoś, Poland’s Permanent Representative to the European Union, has expressed disappointment that Brussels is delaying the approval of the 10th sanctions’ package against Russia for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Source: Andrzej Sadoś in a comment to PAP agency, reports European Pravda

Details: The Polish diplomat expressed confusion as to why the European Commission did not process the proposals of Poland and the Baltic States on sanctions and why the Swedish presidency of the EU Council, in his words, is not considering these proposals.

"Last week, several meetings of the permanent representatives were scheduled, which were cancelled at the last minute. We are losing very precious time, for which Ukraine pays every day with civilian casualties, damaged infrastructure or children abducted to Russia," noted Sadoś.

According to him, sanctions will be one of the main topics of the EU summit to be held this week in Brussels.

"We are receiving very disturbing information about Russia's preparations for an offensive that may begin in the near future. We are very concerned about this situation. We don't understand why, contrary to media reports, there is no real work on draft sanctions packages," said Warsaw's representative to the EU.

According to PAP, some member states are calling for the easing of sanctions for certain sanctioned sectors of the Russian Federation, including the Netherlands and Portugal. "We do not agree with the abolition of the current sanctions regime," Sadoś commented.

In January, Poland presented to the European Commission and EU member states its proposals for the 10th package of sanctions against Russia and, separately, Belarus.

Among other things, it includes the termination of cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear energy, sanctions against Gazprombank and Alfa-Bank, a ban on imports of Russian diamonds, rubber, lime and bitumen, the extension of sanctions against Russian ships and restrictions on the provision of IT software services.

Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the 10th package of sanctions against Russia would amount to €10 billion and expressed hope that it would be approved before the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!