MEETING IN KYIV
The presidents of Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine have issued a joint declaration condemning Russia’s recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. Poland’s Andrzej Duda, Lithuania’s Gitanas Nauseda and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Kyiv in a Lublin Triangle format that restores the memory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Moreover, the Polish parliament, the Sejm, unanimously adopted a resolution on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which condemns all actions of the Russian Federation aimed at attacking the sovereignty of Poland’s eastern neighbour.
SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA
The United States, the European Union and Britain announced new sanctions on Russia Moscow’s recognition of two separatist regions in Ukraine as independent entities. European foreign ministers agreed to sanction 27 individuals and entities, including banks financing Russian decision-makers and operations in the breakaway territories. The package of sanctions also includes all members of the lower house of the Russian parliament who voted in favour of the recognition of the breakaway regions.
FOOTBALL MATCH IN MOSCOW
Originally scheduled to take place on March 24th, Poland’s World Cup play-off match against Russia is now hanging by a thread following the dramatic events that have unfolded this week in Ukraine.
Doubts over the match have been raised after Vladimir Putin recognised the breakaway Donetsk and Luhansk republics, sent Russian troops pouring into the self-styled statelets and asked the State Duma to allow Russian forces to operate abroad.