Warsaw to push for tougher sanctions against Belarus – Polish top diplomat

June 23, BPN. The synchronization of sanctions against Belarus and Russia remains Poland’s priority, Piotr Wawrzyk, a Polish deputy foreign minister, has told PAP news agency.

Warsaw will insist on tougher restrictions for Belarus within the 12th European Union’s sanctions package against Russia, he added citing Minsk’s continued support of Russia’s war on Ukraine and politically-motivated persecution of Belarusians.

Both Belarus and Russia should be subject to the same sanctions as the difference between them is gradually erasing, Wawrzyk said.

The diplomat did not comment on the timeframe for the 12th EU sanctions package.

On June 21, the EU adopted the 11th package of sanctions against Russia affecting the transportation of Russian oil via the southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline.

Druzhba supplies oil to Belarusian refineries and carries it to European countries. Starting in Russia’s Samara region, it splits into northern and southern sections that cross Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Germany and Hungary.

On June 19, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that Warsaw will use all international platforms to fight for the release of all Belarusian political prisoners and advocate for tougher sanctions against Belarus.