The European Commission on Wednesday proposed new import bans on Russian products and tighter trade restrictions as part of a new package of European Union sanctions.
The EU executive also announced more individual blacklistings, an oil price cap for developing third countries, bans on providing European services and technology, and stepped-up efforts to crack down on attempts to circumvent existing sanctions against the Kremlin.
The bloc’s proposed new round of sanctions comes in response to Kremlin efforts to escalate the war effort in Ukraine, including calling for military mobilization in Russia, making nuclear threats against the West, and staging so-called referendums in occupied areas of Ukraine.
“Russia has escalated the invasion of Ukraine to a new level, and we are determined to make the Kremlin pay the price for this further escalation,” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters.
The EU executive’s proposals need to be approved by all 27 member states before they can take effect, with Viktor Orban of Hungary already on record voicing disapproval of existing sanctions.
Source: Radio Poland, PAP
Poland’s foreign ministry has officially denounced Russia’s “illegal” referenda in occupied parts of Ukraine, calling on the international community to reject Russian claims to Ukrainian territory.
In a statement published yesterday, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it “clearly and strongly condemns Russia carrying out illegal ‘referenda’ aimed at annexing parts of Ukraine’s regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, temporarily occupied by Russia.”
The statement urged members of the international community to reject the legitimacy of the referenda and the “results” as they “by no means reflect the will of the people of these regions, often forced to attend the vote.”
Poland joins a chorus of other Western voices in denouncing the recent referenda, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declaring yesterday that the EU “do[es] not accept the sham referenda nor any kind of annexation.”
Source: Radio Poland, PAP, Reuters
The United States on Wednesday announced a new USD 1.1 billion arms package for Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
According to a statement released yesterday by the US Department of Defense, the new security assistance package includes 18 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), some 300-400 armored and tactical vehicles, radar and secure communications systems, anti-drone systems, and field equipment including body armor.
The assistance package also includes funding for additional training, maintenance, and sustainment of existing resources on the ground.
The announcement arrived the same day as a security alert from the US Embassy in Moscow, urging American citizens ‘to depart Russia immediately while limited commercial travel options remain.” The statement goes on to warn that the rights of dual-nationals may not be respected, including claims to citizenship and consular services or the right to leave the territory of Russia.
Source: Radio Poland, defense.gov
Gdańsk police are asking the public for help locating a teenager missing since yesterday afternoon.
The 13-year-old teen, Jakub Gransicki, left his house in the south of Gdańsk on Wednesday around 16:00 and has not been heard from since.
According to Deputy Inspector Magdalena Ciska, Gransicki is 152 centimeters tall with a slim build, long dark hair shaved at the back, and a birthmark on his right cheek. He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and black athletic shoes.
Anyone with information on the missing teen should contact Police Station I in Gdańsk at ul. Platynowa 6F by telephone at 47 741 67 22 or by calling the 112 emergency number.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy and cool, with only a slight chance of rain throughout the day and a gentle breeze coming in from the southwest. Temperatures will be on the chilly side, with a high of 14°C, or 58°F, dropping to an overnight low of 7°C or 44°F. Skies are expected to clear off later this evening with a chance for some sunshine on Friday.
Elizabeth Peck/aKa
