While discussing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Minister Zbigniew Rau strongly condemned recent indiscriminate drone attacks on cities in Ukraine. “Russia’s barbaric actions targeting civilian population and critical infrastructure should strengthen the EU’s resolve to support Ukraine,” he said. Minister Rau warned that Belarus’s direct engagement against Ukraine would affect the whole region in an extremely adverse manner. The top Polish diplomat called for continued support for Ukraine in the military, economic, and political dimension, and for implementing further sanctions against Russia. He welcomed the Council’s decision to set up an EU military training mission in support of Ukraine, with Poland’s substantial role, and the sixth tranche of assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forced under the European Peace Facility.

Moreover, the head of Polish diplomacy pointed out Ukraine’s determination, despite the war conditions, to implement the reforms recommended in the European Commission opinion on the country’s membership application. He underlined that Ukraine’s integration with the European Union should go hand in hand with support for its post-war reconstruction. He noted that the EU’s policy towards Russia must be limited to deterrence, containment, and active protection of our interests, as long as Russia’s aggressive and revisionist policy does not undergo a fundamental change.

On the EU’s relations with the People’s Republic of China, Minister Rau said that the current situation in China does not require any substantial change in Brussels’ policy towards that country, namely one which is open to cooperation but also to taking adequate measures on difficult issues. He stressed that Beijing has always declared its attachment to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The head of Polish diplomacy reiterated that further EU efforts are necessary to ensure equal and reciprocal treatment in economic relations with China. It is particularly vital to intensify dialogue with China on allowing produce to enter Chinese markets.

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Spokesperson