Poland decries 'calls for easing sanctions' on Russia
'It was the very model of building ill-conceived links with Russia in energy policy that led to the war,' says Polish official
LONDON
The Polish government on Thursday criticized calls for easing Western sanctions on Russia, saying its firm stance continues.
Speaking to the Polish Press Agency (PAP), government spokesperson Piotr Mueller said Poland maintains its stance on Russian sanctions as only "consistent Western policy" may force Moscow to change its course.
"Every attempt to close one's eyes to Russian crimes under the guise of returning to the normal functioning of economic relations is a huge mistake," added Mueller.
His remarks came after Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg on Monday criticized Poland's decision to refuse Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's permission to attend an OSCE meeting last year.
Citing the media reports, PAP also said Schallenberg also called for a loosening of European restrictions on Russia.
"It was the very model of building ill-conceived links with Russia in energy policy that led to the (Moscow-Kyiv) war," added Muller.
On Feb. 24 last year, Russia launched a war on Ukraine, which was met with international outrage, with the EU, US, and UK, among others, imposing tough sanctions on Moscow.
