In connection with the death of the Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny, the Council participants met with his wife Yulia Navalnaya. In this context, Minister Sikorski called on the EU to implement its own proposals, including extending sanctions to further individuals around Vladimir Putin and those who publicly support his presidential campaign.

In a discussion on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the head of Polish diplomacy stressed the critical point of the conflict and the dire need to further supply belligerent Ukraine with munitions. He also noted the need to provide further long-term financing of the EU’s military support for Ukraine through the European Peace Facility. Minister Sikorski also underlined that another sanctions package against Russia must be adopted and that those already in place must be implemented more efficiently by all member states. Moreover, he pledged to increase Poland's efforts in this area.

The head of the Polish MFA later presented, on behalf of Poland and ten other member states, a position on Belarus in the context of the coming parliamentary elections in that country. He stressed the need for the EU to send a strong political message to the Minsk regime and Belarusian society at home and abroad. He underlined the EU’s unwavering support for Belarusian democratic forces and called for further sanctions against the Lukashenko regime due to its repression against Belarusian society and support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

In a discussion on the situation in the Middle East, Minister Sikorski supported the European External Action Service’s proposed activity in favour of a ceasefire, ensuring humanitarian aid to Gaza, and preventing escalation of the conflict in the region by setting up a military operation in the Red Sea.  

Minister Sikorski also supported the EU’s approach towards the Sahel states based on flexibility and the principle of differentiation.

More photos from Minister Radosław Sikorski’s participation in the Foreign Affairs Council are available here.

 

Photo: The European Union