Polish PM names 3 EU countries that won’t stop trade relations with Russia — Analysis

Mateusz Morawiecki claims Germany, Austria, and Hungary are acting as ‘brakes’ for new sanctions amid the Ukraine conflict
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki named three European countries on Friday that oppose blocking trade relations with Russia, and have acted as “brakes” with regard to further sanctions in retaliation to its offensive in Ukraine.
“Poland stressed that hydrocarbon trade must be restricted. Unfortunately large countries such as Germany and Hungary are less restrained than small ones like Austria and Hungary. They are not stopping their trade with Russia now and here.,” the prime minister said ahead of NATO talks in Brussels, adding that he hopes to convince them to share Poland’s point of view.
Morawiecki said Poland’s stance towards Russia amid the offensive in Ukraine has not changed, and that his country will be pushing for further sanctions to be imposed immediately.
“People who argue that intense sanctions are necessary here and now have a point. The impact of the sanctions in the long and medium term is obviously important, but it does not affect Russia’s decisions towards Ukraine here and now,” he said, adding that it’s important to standardize the approach toward Russia within the EU and NATO.
Moscow attacked the neighboring state in late February, following a seven-year standoff over Ukraine’s failure to implement the terms of the Minsk agreements, and Russia’s eventual recognition of the Donbass republics in Donetsk and Lugansk. Russia demands that Ukraine be declared a neutral state that will not be joining NATO. Kiev however, insists that this Russian invasion was totally unprovoked.
Numerous Western countries have implemented unprecedented economic sanctions in response to Russia’s offensive.
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