The European Union adopted a tenth package of sanctions on Russia over the weekend, vowing to increase pressure on Moscow “until Ukraine is liberated.”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the latest sanctions tackled the banking sector, advanced technologies, and Moscow’s access to technology that can be used for civilian and military purposes.
The package will ban the export of electronic components used in Russian weapons systems retrieved on the battlefield, including drones, missiles, and helicopters, along with specific rare earth materials, electronic integrated circuits, and thermal cameras.
The sanctions also impose tighter export restrictions on another 96 entities supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex, including, for the first time, seven Iranian entities manufacturing military drones used by Moscow.
Additional restrictions will be imposed on imports of goods that generate significant revenue for Russia, such as asphalt and synthetic rubber.
Poland was initially critical of proposed restrictions on EU imports of Russian rubber, arguing that the number of exemptions and length of transition periods would result in the sanctions having little practical effect.
Today is Day 368 of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Source: Polskie Radio, Radio Gdańsk
Russia halted crude oil supplies to Poland via the Druzhba pipeline over the weekend, according to reports by Polish state-owned oil refiner PKN Orlen.
PKN Orlen CEO Daniel Obajtek tweeted on Saturday that Poland was fully prepared for a complete halt in deliveries via the pipeline, pointing out that deliveries to its refinery can be made entirely by sea.
Obajtek claimed in his recent tweet that “only 10 percent of all the crude oil we were importing was coming from Russia, and we will import it from other sources instead.”
In 2022, PKN Orlen concluded a strategic contract with Saudi Aramco for crude oil supplies and currently imports oil from various sources, including the North Sea region, West Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Gulf of Mexico.
The company has a contract for oil supplies with the Russian company Tatneft, valid until the end of 2024. PKN Orlen declared that it would stop imports if the EU imposed appropriate sanctions; breaking the current contract would have run the risk of having to pay additional compensation.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Polskie Radio
A panel of jurors and TV viewers have selected the song “Solo” by the artist Blanka for Poland’s entry to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The 23-year-old singer from Szczecin beat out nine other competitors on Sunday to represent Poland in the upcoming semifinals in May.
Similar to the actual competition, Blanka’s entry was selected by tabulating points from a 5-person jury of experts and SMS votes from last night’s television audience. With a combined 22 points, Blanka beat out Jann and the song “Gladiator” with 19 points and Dominik Dudek’s song “Be good” with 18 points.
Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the 67th Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted by runner-up The United Kingdom, with the event set to take place in Liverpool from May 9 to 13.
Source: Polskie Radio, eurowizja.org
Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz took home his sixth ATP singles title yesterday after beating local favorite Benjamin Bonzi in the final of the Marseille Open tennis tournament in France.
The top-seeded Pole saw off the 26-year-old French player 6-3, 7-6 in the championship match on Sunday to win his second indoor hard-court title.
After the match, Hurkacz, or “Hubie” as he is known by fans, told reporters he was “super happy with the way I competed today,” adding that he “think[s] my game is getting better.”
The 25-year-old Polish player is currently ranked world No. 11 in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) singles rankings.
Source: Polskie Radio
In case you missed the “Serce za serce” charity concert with the group Hanna last night, you can still help raise funds to help purchase an ambulance for the city of Bakhmut.
Donations can be made by sending an SMS with the description “BACHMUT” to 72052 (cost PLN 2.46 incl. VAT). The collection lasts until tomorrow, February 28, 2023.
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy with little chance of rain or snow and a light breeze coming in from the north. Temperatures will remain just above freezing most of the day, climbing to a high of 2°C or 36°F and then dropping to a low of -4°C or 25°F overnight. Slightly warmer weather is expected for tomorrow, with a chance for rain or snow returning later in the week.
Elizabeth Peck/pb
