Polish Foreign Minister Calls for Rapid Black Sea Ceasefire to Let Grain Shipments Move
Atlanta — Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on Friday called for a rapid ceasefire in the Black Sea that would allow safe passage for grain shipments from both Ukraine and Russia, and said Moscow must end its war against Ukraine before being allowed to resume energy sales to Europe, Reuters reported. Sikorski spoke to reporters during a two-day meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of 20 major economies in Atlanta, which he attended at the invitation of the United States, this year's G20 host.
"I spoke in favor of doing something quickly because the people of the Global South need this grain," Sikorski said. He said Ukraine must be included in any effort to end Russia's invasion, now in its fifth year, and that Europe also had cards to play and should be involved. He also called for a fair end to the war before Russia sells its energy products again to Europe, formerly its most lucrative market.
The United States, which holds the rotating G20 presidency this year, has proposed that Poland become a full member, much like Germany or France, which are also represented through the European Union. Sikorski welcomed the push and said he had discussed it with a number of G20 countries in bilateral meetings in Atlanta. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a reception at the Georgia Aquarium, said Poland deserved to be made a full member, quoting President Donald Trump: Poland's economic success and growing global influence are exactly what the G20 needs to tackle major economic challenges.
Western officials say it could take years for Poland to be accepted as a full member given Russia's opposition and the G20's requirement for consensual decisions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that inviting Poland to attend G20 meetings was counterproductive and broke with diplomatic practice of seeking consensus. Sikorski also said Britain, which will head the G20 next year, has already invited Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to attend the 2027 leaders summit in Manchester, England.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：波兰外交部长 Radoslaw Sikorski 2024 年官方肖像。波兰外交部，CC BY 3.0 PL，经维基共享资源。 / Official portrait of Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, 2024. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, CC BY 3.0 PL, via Wikimedia Commons.
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