Poland in the EU

"I pointed out that the goal of the EU, even the whole transatlantic community, is to deescalate the tension around Ukraine, but this deescalation should be achieved through deterrence. When this symmetry is not there, it may encourage further actions by Russia, which we see as aiming at deteriorating the security on the eastern flank, both of the EU and NATO," - the Foreign Minister stated. In addition, the Minister indicated that in the event of an attempted Russian invasion of Ukraine, further severe sanctions against Russia could be adopted. This issue is being discussed by the EU with the United Kingdom and the United States. Minister Zbigniew Rau stressed that any Russian attack on Ukraine would be "very costly" for Moscow.

In addition, the EU foreign ministers present at the Council agreed on sanctions against the so-called Wagner Group, a military organisation linked to Russia that conducts operations in some countries in the Middle East, Africa, as well as in Ukraine. It is a group made up of Russian mercenaries that contributes to the spread of Russian influence in conflict zones. According to the European Parliament's resolution, it should be treated as a subsidiary of the Russian state.

In the context of the forthcoming European Union-African Union summit, ministers also discussed relations with Africa. They discussed the general situation on the African continent, together with its current challenges, including access to vaccinations and energy, post-pandemic reconstruction, the unstable security situation, illegal migration and competition from China and Russia.

Within the framework of the European Union's relations with Central Asia, member states stressed the importance of cooperation in the area of connectivity and security, while in the context of Afghanistan, they drew attention to the need to provide humanitarian assistance and to guarantee the rights of women and girls, including access to education.

Minister Zbigniew Rau also took part in an informal meeting with the Foreign Minister of Qatar, which was devoted to the situation in Afghanistan and the impact of recent events in that country on the overall situation in the region. The minister pointed out that Poland is observing with concern the internal situation in Afghanistan and the progressing humanitarian crisis there. He also informed about Poland's donation of $800,000 for food security this year through UNHCR, UNICEF and the World Food Programme.

At the end of the meeting, the Council was briefed by the head of the European Observation Mission in Venezuela on the regional elections and the mission's preliminary recommendations.