Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. The head of the Polish government is expecting the introduction of strict sanctions, as he emphasised earlier in a letter to leaders of the European Union. He pointed out that this is Ukraine's only hope and the responsibility of the entire international community. "Today, there is no time for the unyielding egoism seen in some Western countries – unfortunately also here, in Germany. That is why I met with the Chancellor to stir the conscience of Germany so that they finally decide to introduce "crushing" sanctions that are firm enough to influence the decisions of the Kremlin and Putin," stressed Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

A dramatic moment in history

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is not just an attempt to deprive this country of its sovereignty or the tragic fate of its people. It is a violation of the entire order established after World War II. Russia is attempting to destroy the world we know.

The head of the Polish government appealed to the German public: “We must stop Putin because we can see another threat of genocide on the horizon. Innocent people are dying – children, women, men, soldiers – you see these images every day. What about your consciences? Let's help them together. The sanctions package must be crushing." 

Sanctions against Russia

Against all hope, sanctions introduced to this date have failed to stop Russia's barbaric actions. Poland continues to support Ukraine by advocating the tightening and widening of imposed restrictions. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has expressed his support for Ukraine to become a candidate for European Union membership. 

During his visit to Berlin, he once again indicated that the cut-off of funding for Russian companies and financial institutions on the capital markets, their removal from the MSCI index and the denial of access to the SWIFT banking system are necessary to put pressure on the aggressor. These measures should also be complemented by the closure of European airspace to Russian airlines – a decision that the Polish government has already made.

According to the head of government, sanctions that are currently being developed should also address the problem of the European Union's heavy energy dependence on Russia.

“Not only Nord Stream 2.  We must close Nord Stream 1, become independent of Russian oil, coal and gas, as well as freeze and confiscate assets of oligarchs collaborating with Putin. All of them – small and large, business and political. We should use this money to rebuild the infrastructure of a free and sovereign Ukrainian state," stated the Prime Minister. “We must ensure that what we do today will contribute to maintaining the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. It is in our interest – in the interest of Poland, Germany, Lithuania and the whole EU," he added.

Military support without German participation 

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also referred to the military aid in the form of 5,000 helmets declared by the German government in January. Even now, in the face of the war launched by Russia, the German authorities have consistently refused to provide more extensive assistance. Once again, the head of the Polish government called for Germany to provide support in terms of armaments – this aid must be real and help Ukrainian soldiers and the Ukrainian people who are fighting also for our freedom and sovereignty so that we are not the next target.

Situation in Ukraine

Ukrainian towns and villages are under attack. The war is raging throughout the country. Every single day, soldiers and civilians are dying in front of our eyes. Vladimir Putin has chosen the path of war and terror. We and our European Union allies must make every effort to assist Ukraine and, at the same time, ensure the security of NATO's eastern flank. Ukraine is not only fighting for its own independence and freedom. Today, Ukraine is fighting for the freedom of entire Europe.