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Polish PM pushes for EU ban on Russian coal

02.03.2022 07:00
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said that the European Union should move to ban imports of coal from Russia amid Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Polands Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meet in Brussels on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meet in Brussels on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.Photo: EPA/VIRGINIA MAYO

Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Tuesday, Morawiecki said that Poland wanted the European Union to slap the strongest possible sanctions on Moscow, including a ban on the importation of Russian coal, news agencies reported.

"I can declare we can introduce an embargo on Russian coal even tomorrow," Morawiecki told reporters after a meeting with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, referring to Poland.

"We are ready for that; we just want to get the fastest possible consent from the European Commission," he added.

Morawiecki also said that Europe should stop buying Russian gas and oil "over the next few months or so," Poland's PAP news agency reported.

"We demand sanctions so that Putin does not decide about the fate of Ukraine," Morawiecki said, as quoted by his office in a tweet.

"This is a turning point in the history of Europe. Ukraine is firmly resisting the brutal attack, but our sanctions must shake the Kremlin," he added.

'Existential threat to peace in Europe'

Morawiecki told reporters that Russia's invasion of Ukraine posed "an existential threat to peace in Europe."

He also said that the EU should prepare an investment package for Ukraine "because its economy needs new investments," and "the energy security of Ukraine is a very important element."

'Reconstruction plan for Ukraine'

He proposed a EUR 100 billion "reconstruction plan" foUkraine, "which would be financed by the EU, so that they can rebuild destroyed schools, hospitals or housing estates."

Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said on Tuesday that more Western sanctions were in store for Russia as it pushed ahead with its invasion of Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: PAP, Reuters