The EU heads of diplomacy mainly discussed Russia’s aggressive policy, EU-US cooperation (with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in attendance), and EU-Türkiye relations.

During a debate on Russia, Deputy Minister Jabłoński noted the Wagner Group’s increased activity in Belarus and highlighted that this situation is becoming a very serious threat to Polish and EU borders. He also underlined Poland’s consistent policy against Russia’s aggression and said that a situation must be prevented which would yield any political or territorial benefits for Russia. In Deputy Minister Jabłoński’s opinion, Russia might otherwise conclude that a war of aggression can bring desired effects and thus encourage its further attacks. He added that similar conclusions could encourage other countries. 

An important proposal was made by Deputy Minister Jabłoński during the Council’s session to promptly confiscate Russian assets frozen as the result of EU sanctions and use them to make Russia - not the European taxpayers - bear the real cost of aggression. The MFA Undersecretary of State also noted that by blocking the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia is again weaponizing food supplies and in doing so exacerbates the global food crisis.

He underscored that the EU should mainly support the states bordering on Ukraine to help farmers and food producers from Poland and other EU countries, and prevent crisis on agricultural product markets.  

In a discussion on EU-Türkiye relations, Deputy Minister Jabłoński proposed that the EU signal to Türkiye its readiness to cooperate on, among other issues, migration and a customs union taking into account the interests of all EU member states. 

 

MFA Press Office