The German parliamentarians paid a visit to a Polish Red Cross facility in Lublin, which distributes aid to refugees. The delegation also travelled to the border crossing point in Dorohusk, where the governor of Lubelskie Province and representatives of the Border Guard outlined the current situation at the border and actions taken by the provincial authorities to provide care for refugees. From there they travelled to Chełm to visit two reception centres for those fleeing from war in Ukraine. The visits provided an opportunity to talk to refugees, authorities of the city of Chełm, volunteers, and accommodation services. 

The delegation was accompanied throughout by Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk, who explained measures the government is taking to address the influx of refugees into Poland. In discussions with the members of the German Pparliament, he outlined the expectations of the Polish authorities with regard to the German neighbour. The deputy foreign minister stressed the need for humanitarian assistance in response to the war in Ukraine and the continuing wave of refugees. He also highlighted the constant need to supply defensive weapons to Ukraine because of the ongoing fighting. He persuaded the German MPs of strengthening sanctions pressure on Russia, in particular introducing an embargo on fuel purchases in Russia. In the face of Russia’s unprecedented aggression against Ukraine, economic calculations cannot take precedence over the need to use an effective instrument of pressure on Russia. Deputy Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk also drew attention to the urgent need to grant Ukraine candidate status for EU membership.  

 

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Press Spokesperson

 

Foto: MSZ