US President Joe Biden has signed a new „lend-lease” bill that aims to streamline the process of supplying Ukraine with the military equipment it needs to fight Russia.
The new US law revives a World War II-era measure that allowed America to quickly resupply allies in the fight against Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany eight decades ago.
According to official statements, the „Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022” will enable the United States to more efficiently send weapons and other supplies to war-torn Ukraine and NATO allies affected by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Poland’s deputy foreign minister Marcin Przydacz called for a „lasting, permanent American presence” at the eastern edge of NATO, something he claimed was being discussed during his visit to the United States.
Przydacz was in Washington DC to meet with leaders from the Munich Security Conference, which includes heads of government, foreign and defense policy chiefs, and lawmakers. The Munich Leaders Meeting is set to wrap up later today.
Source: Radio Poland, PAP, securityconference.org
EU member states remain deadlocked on the proposed new sanctions package against Russia, with member state Hungary exercising veto power against plans for a total embargo on Russian oil.
Hungary, along with the Czech Republic and Slovakia, is heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas, with Russian oil constituting nearly 60% of Hungary’s imports in 2021, according to Reuters.
Despite being offered an extended transitional period to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, Hungary remains strongly opposed to the oil embargo in the sanctions package, much to the disappointment of Polish officials.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba recently expressed hopes that EU countries will be able to persuade Hungary of the oil embargo, noting that not approving it would be too generous a gift for the Kremlin.
After a personal visit to Budapest and talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had made progress in the negotiations with Hungary, but additional work was needed.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, PAP
Polish officials have announced plans to create a digital database of job opportunities for refugees from Ukraine to match Polish employers with those seeking work.
According to officials, employers, companies providing job offers, and job placement services will also be able to submit, update and delete job offers directly in the system. Job seekers will then input information about their work skills, experience, and expectations and „receive feedback, including relevant job offers and contact details for potential employers.”
The new database tool will be accessible online and through the mObywatel mobile app.
According to data from the Ministry of Family and Social Policy, some 130,000 Ukrainian refugees have found jobs in Poland since the beginning of the war in February.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland, PAP
Poland has been chosen to host the men’s and women’s rugby sevens European championships this summer after original host Russia was stripped of its rights due to its aggression in Ukraine.
The European finals in rugby sevens, an Olympic sport with seven players on each side, will be held at Kraków’s Reyman Stadium from July 1 to 3.
Poland’s Sports Minister Kamil Bortniczuk made the announcement last week, praising the move as a demonstration „that hard-hitting sanctions in the field of sport … are effective, and that it does make sense to put pressure on sports governing bodies.”
In addition to rugby, Poland will co-host this year’s volleyball world championships with Slovenia, along with the 2022 European shooting championships. Both events were originally scheduled to be held in Russia.
Last year, Poland’s women’s rugby sevens team finished second behind Russia, whose team is banned from the 2022 championships. The Polish men’s team will also be looking to improve on its eighth-place showing from 2021.
Source: Radio Poland
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy and warm, with a chance for rain throughout the day and a strong breeze coming in from the west. Temperatures will be slightly cooler than yesterday, with a high around 19°C, or 67°F, dropping to an overnight low of 13°C or 55°F. Similar weather is expected tomorrow, with a chance for more sun returning on Friday.
Posłuchaj:
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