Warsaw/Moscow: – Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish Prime Minister, claimed that the sanctions imposed by the western countries against Russia are worthless and the current value of the Russian Ruble is the indicator. A few days ago, the Polish prime minister accused the leading European countries of taking a pro-Russia stand. Alister Cook, a former diplomat in the European Union, also warned that the sanctions imposed against Russia without a plan are like signing its death warrant while criticising the sanctions imposed by the Union.
The European Union has imposed sanctions against Russia in four stages. Indications have been given that fresh sanctions will be imposed this week. Along with more than 870 leaders, officials and entrepreneurs, 62 Russian companies also have been targeted by the sanctions. But there is no agreement on the sanctions against the fuel sector. There are intense differences in Europe over the issue and leading countries like Germany and Austria have taken an open stand that fuel import from Russia cannot be stopped. Baltic countries, including Poland, have opposed this stand and have adopted an aggressive tone saying sanctions have to be imposed on the Russian fuel sector.
Against this backdrop, the Polish prime minister’s statement seems to be an effort to create a basis for the sanctions. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki claimed ‘The value of Russian currency Ruble was a litmus test. The Ruble has successfully reached the levels that existed before the attack on Ukraine. This means that there has been no effect of the economic, credit-related, or budget-related sanctions imposed against Russia. They are worthless. This is a matter to be said openly now.’
The rate of the Russian Ruble had crashed given the sanctions imposed against Russia following the attack on Ukraine. It had reached 132 Rubles to a USD and 147 Rubles to a Euro. But by the end of March, this has reached 85 and 93 against USD and Euro respectively. Polish Prime Minister pointed out that Russia has not been affected by the sanctions citing the recovery in the value of the Ruble. Meanwhile, former British intelligence official and former advisor to the European Union, Alister Cook, also criticised the Union for the sanctions imposed against Russia.
Cook warned that sanctions imposed by the Union with an intent to deliver a jolt to Russia, without an alternative plan for fuel procurement, are like Europe targeting itself. He also pointed out how the United States and Qatar supply whatever quantities of fuel, and Russia cannot be replaced.
