OPINION
Poland’s 10-point plan to save Ukraine
Together with Slovenia and the Czech Republic, we have
prepared a list of actions the EU must enforce if it really wants to end the
war.
BY MATEUSZ
MORAWIECKI
Mateusz Morawiecki is prime minister of Poland.
March 25,
2022 11:16 am
https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-10-point-plan-save-ukraine/
WARSAW —
Ten days ago, in excellent company, I visited the besieged city of Kyiv.
Although I had traveled beyond the borders of the European Union, I felt I had
arrived in the very heart of Europe — a wounded heart, yes, but one that beats
with great force.
In Kyiv,
there is a battle being waged — not only for the future of Ukraine, but also
for the future of the entire Continent. And if Kyiv falls, it will be the end
of Europe as we know it.
A month has
passed since Russia launched its full-on assault of Ukraine. Since then, the
West has imposed four packages of sanctions on Russia — and yet the war
continues. The measures are clearly not enough. Much more needs to be done, and
quickly.
To those
who warn that provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin will lead to World War
III, I ask: Did Putin ever need an excuse to violate international law? Did he
need one to attack Georgia? Did he need one to occupy Crimea? Did he need one
to attack Kyiv?
Such
remarks remind me of the words of Winston Churchill, who is reportedly
described the decision to appease Adolf Hitler as a choice between war and
shame. “They chose shame,” he added. “They will get war too.” The passivity of
politicians on the eve of World War II did not stop Hitler; it gave him more
room for action. Our task today is to not repeat that same mistake.
The people
I talked to while in Kyiv have more courage than the leaders of the world’s
largest countries. But they need more than just compassion or statements of
solidarity. They need real support.
I know that
Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was grateful for our visit with
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and
Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of my Law and Justice Party. But he and the rest
of Ukraine are right to expect far more from us.
In addition
to cutting off payments for oil, gas and coal as soon as possible, Poland,
Slovenia and the Czech Republic have prepared a 10-point plan to support
Ukraine and bring an end to the war.
First, we
must cut off all Russian banks from the SWIFT international payment system.
Otherwise, the Russian economy will adapt to the new conditions within a few
weeks.
Second, we
must put in place a common asylum policy for Russian soldiers who refuse to
serve the criminal regime in Moscow.
Third, we
must completely stop Russian propaganda in Europe. Freedom of speech does not
mean the right to lie.
Fourth, we
must block Russian ships from our ports.
Fifth, the
same blockade must be put in place for road transport in and out of Russia.
Sixth, we
must impose sanctions not only on oligarchs but on their entire business
environment.
Seventh, we
must suspend visas for all Russian citizens who want to enter the EU. The
Russian people must understand that they will bear the consequences of this
war. And it is our hope that they will turn their backs on Putin.
Eighth, we
must impose sanctions on all members of Putin’s party, United Russia. They know
perfectly well what is happening in Ukraine, and their complicity is
indisputable.
Ninth, we
must put in place a total ban on the export to Russia of technologies that can
be used for war.
And tenth,
we must exclude Russia from all international organizations. We cannot sit at
the same table as criminals.
If this
does not stop the war, then we must go further. In Kyiv, we proposed a
peacekeeping mission under the aegis of NATO and other international
organizations. If we cannot introduce effective sanctions, we have no choice:
We must protect the people of Ukraine with our own shields.
If we want
to restore peace, Putin needs to know where the red line is — the line he
cannot cross. The fact that Russia has a nuclear arsenal cannot be an excuse
for passivity. We must be cognizant of this threat, but it cannot hold us back.
Otherwise, Putin will only go further.
What will
we do if Putin reaches for Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, next? Or if he
attacks Vilnius and Warsaw? What if he wants to occupy Helsinki? Will we start
taking this threat seriously only when he sends tanks to Berlin? The line must
be drawn, and it must be drawn now.
The plan we
propose is not only possible, it is necessary. We must find the courage not to
turn our backs on Ukraine’s suffering and to face this historic challenge.
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