Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski urges to adopt 21st sanctions package against Kremlin at Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), Brussels

Necessary energy support for Ukraine and increasing pressure on the Kremlin

Radosław Sikorski, the head of Polish diplomacy, said that Russia destroyed 80% of Ukraine's electricity generation capacity. He emphasised the need to support Ukraine in the reconstruction of its energy system, including the urgent provision of funds to rebuild Ukrainian combined heat and power plants and to set up distributed electricity generation sources before winter.

Minister Sikorski also urged the EU to adopt the 21st package of sanctions against Russia, which attacked civilian targets in Ukraine again last night. Moreover, he noted the need to immediately provide Ukraine with air defence systems.

Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski welcomed the Statement by the High Representative Kaja Kallas on Russia's malicious cyber activities targeting the EU member states, including Poland. It was this statement that first linked malicious cyber activity to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

Terror against civilian population detained by Russians

On the sidelines of FAC, EU foreign ministers held an informal meeting with Ukraine's top diplomat Andrii Sybiha and Ukrainian human rights activists: Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Center for Civil Liberties, and Maksym Butkevych, former prisoner of war and the founder of the ZMINA NGO. They informed the audience about the atrocities committed by the Russians against civilians held captive in the occupied Ukrainian territories.

Minister Sikorski stressed that the international community must respond to the violations of the international humanitarian law.

The perpetrators-who include, among others, members of the Russian secret service, prison governors, and judges who pass unjust sentences-must be punished

- said Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski.

Poland's top diplomat endorsed the Statement by the High Representative Kaja Kallas on Ukrainian civilians detained by Russia.

Support for Armenia

Following on the discussion during the FAC meeting on 15 June, the Council decided to launch an advisory EU Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) to support the Armenian authorities in enhancing the country's resilience against hybrid threats and ability to address evolving security challenges.

Middle East crisis

During the ministers' discussion on the Middle East, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski expressed concern over the deteriorating situation around the Strait of Hormuz, which is pivotal for global energy security. Arrangements regarding Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions, maritime security, and relations with Israel require trust and good faith on both sides. Otherwise, unresolved issues will fuel tensions.

Minister Sikorski favoured the idea that the European Commission should put forward written proposals to restrict imports of products from illegal Israeli settlements, and highlighted the need for the European Union to comply with international law regarding the status of the occupied territories, emphasising that this was "a matter of principles." He also supported the efforts to increase the EU's engagement in Lebanon, including setting up a new EU mission.