Polish diplomat criticizes EU for dragging its feet on new sanctions

February 6, BPN. The European Union (EU) has not been working “for a month already” on a new package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus, a senior Polish diplomat told rmf24.pl on February 6.

Some countries have even proposed “exclusions” for Belarusian fertilizers, said Andrzej Sadoś, the Polish ambassador to the EU.

“Contrary to statements by the European Commission, the 10th package does not include restrictions for the banking sector or propagandists,” he said. “Moreover, they [the European Commission] have proposed an exemption for Belarusian fertilizers under the pretext of fulfilling UN recommendations on fighting hunger in Africa.”

Sadoś said the EU may not approve the 10^th package before the first anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine, February 24.

In the last few years, democratic nations have imposed multiple restrictions on Belarus over human rights violations. Sanctions have been imposed for alleged vote rigging in the 2020 presidential election, a brutal crackdown on protesters, the forced landing of a Ryanair flight, a migration crisis on the EU border, and support of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

EU officials announced on January 10 the bloc’s intention to synchronize sanctions against Russia and Belarus.