Minister Rau emphasised that the growing brutality of the Russian warfare in Ukraine requires urgent measures by the EU that would go beyond everything that has been done so far, including a complete exclusion of the Russian financial system from SWIFT and a ban on importing hydrocarbons from Russia. He added that further deliveries of weapons and equipment for the Ukrainian armed forces are urgently needed.  Poland’s chief diplomat appealed yet again that Ukraine’s application for EU membership be proceeded as soon as possible and that Ukraine be granted the status of a candidate country. He also deemed it necessary to swiftly devise a plan to support the post-war recovery of Ukraine. The plan should include an insight into the possibility to enforce Russian participation in the recovery costs, given that Russia is responsible for immense damage to Ukraine. The minister also suggested that the options for more high-level visits to Kyiv should be taken into consideration.

During a meeting with Minister Popescu, Poland’s head of diplomacy stated that he has been keeping track of the security and humanitarian situation in Moldova, especially in separatist Transnistria, including in his capacity as the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE.  He made a point that Moldova’s stability and security must be enhanced in the light of the influx of Ukrainian refugees and other challenges the country is facing. Given the context, Minister Rau welcomed the European Commission’s proposal for Macro-Financial Assistance to Chisinau as well as other forms of support from the EU budget. Moreover, he pointed out that Poland backs Moldova’s European aspirations and its reform efforts.

Poland’s foreign minister commented on the adoption of the Strategic Compass as a means to strengthen the European security and defence policy, pursued in close cooperation with NATO and as a complement to the measures taken by the Alliance. Confronted with augmenting threats to security, the EU must have the capacity to act effectively in coordination with NATO and to engage in ever closer cooperation with like-minded partners. It is also essential to increase the member states’ defence budgets accordingly.

 

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Press Spokesperson

 

Photos: EU Council