Poland has presented a proposal to the European Commission for a new, 12th round of sanctions against Russia, revealed Poland’s EU Ambassador, Andrzej Sados, to PAP this Friday.
Sados articulated growing challenges in achieving consensus within the European Council concerning fresh restrictions against Russia, noting a diminished enthusiasm from Western EU nations for additional sanctions amidst the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The proposal put forth by Warsaw includes the reimposition of sanctions on Russian diamonds and broadening the existing sanctions blacklists to encompass more individuals and entities.
PAP reports that following the October EU summit, the European Commission aims to commence work on this new sanctions package around mid-November.
Furthermore, Poland’s proposition extends to advocating for a prohibition on importing LPG from Russia and utilizing Russian ICT (Information and Communication Technology) services.
The prior (11th) package aimed to fortify the current restrictions on Russia, ensuring they are not easily bypassed.
Last September, Poland banned Russian-registered vehicles after imposing travel restrictions on Russian tourists in 2022.
The comprehensive nature of the ban reflected the seriousness with which Poland views Russia’s actions and the desire to send a clear message of condemnation.
Poland’s Interior Minister emphasized that this move is part of a broader strategy aimed at curbing Russia’s actions and addressing the threat it poses to international security.
As tensions persist in Eastern Europe, it remains to be seen how these sanctions and restrictions will impact the broader geopolitical landscape and whether they will lead to any changes in Russia’s behavior.