EU preparing sanctions amid Russian threat to Ukraine.

The European Union is preparing a raft of sanctions against Russia as the military stand off on the Ukrainian border continues this week. Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish Prime Minister delivered the news to reporters following the EU’s summit with the African Union in Brussels. The PM said, „When I met with EU leaders, prime ministers and presidents in November, there was no such awareness of the risks beyond our eastern border. Today, this awareness is shared by both the European Commission and our main partners.”

Source – Polskie Radio

Polish defence minister thanks US for military support

Poland’s Defence Minister has thanked his American counterpart for their military support as the two men met in Warsaw. The Polish Defence Minister said „We very much appreciate the presence of US forces in Poland. Your support in these difficult times demonstrates your responsibility and unshakable commitment to the security of Poland and Europe”. His counterpart said, „I’d like to thank Poland for regularly hosting more than 4,000 enduring rotational U.S. military personnel, the fourth largest concentration of US forces in Europe”. They also both confirmed news of a formal request from Poland to purchase 250 state-of-the-art Abrams battle tanks with the Polish minister saying that the purchase is “one of the more significant arms contracts in Poland’s history”.

Source – Polskie Radio

Poles to select entry for Eurovision Song Contest

Poland is expected to pick its entry for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest on this evening during a televised event in Warsaw. One of 10 competitors will be selected by a 50/50 viewer and jury vote to represent the country in the contest’s semifinals in May. This year’s 66th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Turin, Italy from May 10th to 14th. Poland has participated 23 times since its first entry in 1994 reaching the top ten on three occasions and 2nd place on its début entry. There were more than 150 submissions to the sing-off by the time the deadline passed in November 2021.

Source – Polskie Radio

Strong winds batter Pomerania

And finally, strong winds have battered Northern Poland overnight and into today. Winds of up to 120 km/h have lashed the northern part of the country and a weather warning is in force until 7pm this evening. People are urged to stay at home and not travel unless it is absolutely necessary. The Polish government’s security service has sent SMS messages across the country warning them of the dangers of the current weather.

Source – Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be a very windy day with winds of up to 120 km/h and rain throughout the day and temperatures of 7 degrees centigrade (45 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and 0 degrees overnight. Winds will ease off tomorrow but there will be sleet showers in the morning and temperatures of 5 degrees during the day and 3 degrees overnight.

Martin Caren/aKa