Germany announced a halt to certification of Russia’s controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline after Moscow formally recognized two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine and sent troops into the region.
At a news conference in Berlin yesterday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany “must reassess the situation…regarding Nord Stream 2” in response to recent events. Scholz reportedly asked the German ministry of economic affairs to take steps to ensure the certification could not take place.
The news came after comments by US officials and the White House in December that Germany had committed to taking action on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the event of aggressive acts by Russia. According to media sources, the assurance was made in exchange for lifting US sanctions against the pipeline’s operator.
Poland has strongly criticized the Nord Stream 2 project, which is almost complete, amid concerns that it will make the European Union more dependent on Russian gas and “gives Russia a chance to destabilize NATO.”
Source: Radio Poland, Reuters, VOA.com
The US and UK both announced new sanctions against Russia yesterday in response to the Kremlin’s announcement it was sending troops into the Donbas region of Ukraine.
In a post on social media Tuesday night, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki hailed the move as “an important first step” in containing Vladimir Putin’s imperial ambitions.
Accordion to reports by Reuters, the US measures target two large Russian financial institutions, the country’s sale of sovereign debt abroad, and Russia’s “elites and their family members.” US President Joe Biden described the sanctions as a “first tranche” and promised further sanctions if Russian aggression continued to escalate.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also announced sanctions yesterday against five Russian banks and three wealthy individuals, warning of further “much, much tougher” action in the future.
Source: Radio Poland, Reuters
Foresters are appealing to residents of Pomerania to avoid walking in local forests until they can be cleared of fallen trees and debris from the recent series of storms.
The Regional Directorate of State Forests in Szczecinek, which covers the provinces of Pomorskie and Zachodniopomorskie, estimates some half a million cubic meters of trees were broken or damaged over the weekend.
According to Marek Stasiuk, the press spokesman of the management in Szczecinek, cleanup in the forests is ongoing and residents are advised to avoid the area, as they may expose themselves to unnecessary danger.
In cases where it is necessary to drive on forest roads, Stasiuk advised residents to check the situation with the local forestry office and pay attention to road and tree markings placed by foresters.
Cleaning up debris in the forest, clearing local roads, and helping restore power and other infrastructure services is now “a priority task ” for regional foresters. Due to the extent of the damage, the restoration work could take up to six months.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
A series of concerts featuring the music of Chopin opened in Warsaw on Tuesday to mark the 212th anniversary of the composer’s birth.
Daily concerts at the Chopin Museum will culminate in two special recitals at the city’s National Philharmonic Hall on March 1 and 2 by Canadian pianist Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu, the winner of last year’s International Chopin Competition in Warsaw.
The recital on March 1 will be broadcast live on the Youtube channel of the National Chopin Institute, the organizer of the event. Additionally, In line with a long-standing tradition, a recital will be given at Chopin’s birthplace of Żelazowa Wola at noon that day.
Other pianists to be featured include Piotr Alexewicz, a participant in the 2021 International Chopin Competition, Martin Garcia Garcia, Third Prize winner at last year’s Chopin Competition, and Poland’s Mateusz Krzyżowski and Adam Kałduński.
The exact date of the composer’s birth is subject to some debate, with his birth certificate stating he was born February 22, 1810, while family documents claim it was March 1.
Source: Radio Poland, https://nifc.pl
Weather
Today will be cloudy and cold, with a chance of rain in the morning and strong winds coming in from the northwest. Skies will begin to clear later in the afternoon, with a chance for some sun late in the day. Temperatures will be similar to yesterday, with a high around 6°C, or 42°F, dropping to just above freezing overnight with a low of 1°C or 34°F. Temperatures are expected to warm up slightly tomorrow as a high-pressure system moves into Pomerania, with periodic chances for some sun on into the weekend.
Elizabeth Peck
