Further pressure on the Kremlin and opening accession negotiations with Kyiv

At the Council session, Minister Sikorski called for a firm stance towards Russia as it fails to display good will to enter meaningful peace talks. The head of Polish diplomacy condemned the attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv. In particular, he condemned the destruction of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, an Eastern Orthodox monastery complex from 11th century, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Minister Sikorski said that this is yet another act of terror which exposes Moscow’s hypocrisy as it claims that defending Christian heritage had been one of the reasons to start the war.

Poland’s top diplomat welcomed the adoption by the EU Council of further restrictive measures against Russia due to its attack on Ukraine, violation of human rights, and hybrid activities. Having noted the evident decline of both Russia’s army and the economy, the deputy prime minister also insisted on prompt adoption of the 21st round of economic sanctions. New restrictions should cover essential areas such as the financial, military, machine, and energy sectors.

Minister Sikorski also voiced the need to finalise talks on the transfer of pre-arranged reimbursement for the EU member states from the unblocked European Peace Facility funds.

At the same time, Poland welcomed the opening of the first cluster in negotiations with Ukraine, a milestone on its path to the EU. The launching of a substantive dialogue in the key areas proves that the political transition process and the implementation of EU standards are key tools in the modernisation of the state seeking to join Western institutions.

 

Polish initiative against hybrid activity

In the context of growing hybrid activity in Europe, Radosław Sikorski presented an essential document developed on MFA’s initiative by the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM).  The White Paper on Russian Acts of Sabotage and Subversion against Members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States was elaborated as part of the Polish presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States.

To access the full report presented by the foreign minister, go to the Polish Institute of International Affairs website:

• https://www.pism.pl/publikacje/biala-ksiega-rosyjskich-aktow-sabotazu-i-dywersji-wobec-czlonkow-rady-panstw-morza-baltyckiego
• https://pism.pl/publications/white-paper-on-russian-acts-of-sabotage-and-subversion-against-members-of-the-council-of-the-baltic-sea-states

The White Paper describes, among others, attacks on critical infrastructure, disruptions to shipping through deliberate GNSS jamming, and aggressive cognitive operations targeting European societies. The minister emphasised that in order to stop Russia’s hybrid aggression the EU member states must strengthen their intelligence cooperation, set up a common data exchange system, and clearly identify the perpetrators.

 

EU–China relations and the Middle East crisis

During the debate on EU–China relations, Poland unequivocally supported the need to recalibrate economic relations with Beijing. The European Union must provide an adequate and firm response to China supporting Russian arms industry.

While taking part in a discussion on the Middle East, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski welcomed the preliminary agreement between the US and Iran. He also stressed that ensuring the freedom of navigation in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz is crucial to global energy security.

Referring to the situation in the occupied territories, the Polish delegation advocated the EU responding to Israel’s actions and the European Commission urgently presenting proposals in this regard. Poland backed further sanctions against illegal settlers and the Israeli government ministers who support them, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

 

Support for Armenia

On the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council, the EU foreign ministers also held an informal meeting with Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ararat Mirzoyan. Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski declared his unequivocal support for Yerevan’s pro-European and pro-Western course. The head of Polish diplomacy also supported the EU’s efforts to build Armenia’s resilience to Russian hybrid operations.

Photo: Marcin Maniewski/MFA