Peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow should be pushed for by pressuring the aggressor, Russia, not Ukraine.
This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radosław Sikorski, as reported by DW.
"The division of tasks should be such that both the United States and the European Union help Ukraine achieve a better negotiating position for potential future talks, which should encourage and force the aggressor, not the victim," Sikorski said.
The head of Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also convinced that the EU needs to "mobilize even more" in light of the upcoming administration of Donald Trump.
As reported by Polskie Radio, Sikorski assured that Poland's presidency of the European Union Council in the first half of next year should contribute to achieving consensus on further sanctions against Russia.
"During our presidency, we hope to tighten the already imposed sanctions and impose new ones, especially on the so-called Russian shadow fleet, meaning those very dangerous tankers that cause massive environmental pollution, like what is happening in the Sea of Azov now, and pose both geopolitical and economic threats," Sikorski said.
The so-called shadow fleet is mainly composed of semi-destroyed ships that transport Russian oil in violation of international sanctions. Radosław Sikorski also did not rule out restrictions in the energy sector and cooperation with the United States on this issue.
The 15th sanctions package against Russia consists of two elements. The first is to strike more ships of the shadow fleet. The second is a blacklist with a ban on entry to the EU and frozen assets in Europe. More than 80 individuals and companies were added to the list, including, for the first time, Chinese companies that helped Russia bypass sanctions and supplied components for weapons production.