More sanctions against Russia? Unofficial: The work has gathered pace. “Even more painful for the Kremlin”

Closing European ports to Russian ships, halting oil and coal imports from Russia, but not gas, and blacklisting more oligarchs – according to the findings of Beata Płomecka, the discussion was held in Brussels on Monday. – There is no unanimity regarding the suspension of gas imports, because some countries are too dependent on supplies from Russia, but it is possible to suspend oil imports, which would be even more severe for the Kremlin – one of the EU diplomats told the Brussels correspondent of Polish Radio. Especially that on this matter the EU has announced coordination with the G7 countries.

Sanctions against Russia – will there be another package? Talks are underway in Brussels

Poland is also seeking to suspend coal imports from Russia and to disconnect all Russian banks from the global SWIFT system of financial settlements. So far, it has been decided to cut off seven banks. Negotiations are taking place among EU countries on this matter, and while there is agreement that the list of banks should be larger, there is still no green light for the largest one – Sberbank to be among them. When it comes to sanctions against successive oligarchs, there are many voices that the European Union should follow in the footsteps of the United States and impose restrictions on their families as well.

Ukraine will be admitted to the EU?

The EU countries asked the European Commission to give its opinion on the applications of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova for admission to the Community. Thus, the procedure for examining the requests of the authorities in Kiev, Tbilisi and Chisinau began. Poland insists on the accelerated procedure on Ukraine.

The Member States are already after the first discussions on the enlargement of the Union to the east. Last week it was discussed by European affairs ministers, and on Monday by ambassadors. The discussion confirmed that there are differences of opinion and not all countries, such as Poland, are in favor of accelerating the procedures. Warsaw believes that the EU should grant Ukraine candidate status as soon as possible. – There is no question of treating Ukraine in a standard way that would apply under normal, peaceful conditions. We must develop an appropriate legal environment, said Andrzej Sadoś, the Polish ambassador to the European Union, a few days ago in Brussels.

On Monday, at a closed meeting of representatives of 27 countries, the Polish ambassador renewed this appeal – this is the result of the reports of EU diplomats with whom the Brussels correspondent of Polish Radio spoke. He appealed to the European Commission to give its opinion on Ukraine’s request as soon as possible. As a standard, the preparation of such an opinion by the Commission takes one and a half years. Ukraine’s membership of the EU will be one of the topics on the two-day summit in Paris attended by European leaders, which begins on Thursday. And after this summit, many diplomats expect a positive signal to be sent to Ukraine. Some, however, wonder whether the examination of applications together with Georgia and Moldova will not delay the entire process of granting Ukraine candidate status to the European Union.