Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski spoke in an interview about progress on the seventh sanctions package against the Russian Federation. The remarks were reported by Polska Agencja Prasowa.
Asked whether EU representatives had started discussing new restrictions, the deputy minister replied affirmatively. He argued that removing all Russian banks from SWIFT should be matched by tougher measures on gas, emphasizing Gazprombank due to its role in processing payments for Russian gas under a program that converts euros to rubles.
Jablonski also outlined a push for an embargo on technologies that could be supplied to Russia and used in its industry. He noted that, beyond official sanctions, there is ongoing work to seize Russian assets in Europe, not merely freeze them.
Bypassing sanctions and Budapest’s stance
The deputy minister acknowledged that many European companies and citizens are seeking ways to circumvent sanctions, describing it as a persistent problem. He highlighted that several actors attempt to bypass rules by opening Gazprombank accounts to pay in euros or dollars, which is then quickly converted to rubles, effectively undermining the intended impact.
According to Jablonski, these bypass plans erode confidence in the European Union. He added that the EU must address this issue seriously, including through discussions at the European Council summit.
Jablonski also commented on Hungary’s resistance to oil embargo and sanctions against certain Russian figures, including Patriarch Kirill. He said that strong diplomatic and political pressure is being exercised on Hungary and that direct outreach to the people is part of the strategy.
Sixth package
On the eve of the EU’s adoption of the sixth sanctions package against Russia, the measure went into effect with the oil embargo delayed for six months. Some exceptions were provided for Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Croatia, allowing continued oil supply via the Druzhba pipeline while maintaining limited access to sea oil. The package also waived a ban on Russian oil tanker movements under EU flags.
The sixth package added restrictions on consulting, auditing, and public relations services, limited cloud service access, and aimed to block Russia’s chemical weapon precursors by banning around 80 chemical compounds. It also disconnected additional Russian banks from SWIFT and suspended broadcasts of Russia-24, RTR-Planet, and TV-Center channels in the EU.
Jablonski argued that although the sixth package is not perfect, it could choke Vladimir Putin’s ability to fund military operations. He described the diplomatic achievement as substantial and emphasized the need to deprive Putin of maneuverability while boosting Ukraine’s capacity to react with equipment supplies.
He highlighted the oil embargo as a historic step that Poland championed early in the conflict, noting that coalition-building and hard work—led by the Polish prime minister and the broader diplomatic corps—made it possible.
Still, the Russian president is believed to retain resources that could finance military spending, according to the deputy minister.
All EU restrictions
The first sanctions package was enacted before the onset of the special operations on February 22, targeting 351 State Duma deputies who voted to recognize the independence of two Donbass self-proclaimed republics. The EU also restricted European business with the LPR and DPR and imposed limits on Russia’s access to public debt and financial markets.
Subsequent measures broadened the bans to include new deliveries, aircraft maintenance and insurance, the return of leased aircraft, and asset freezes on the Central Bank. Additional prohibitions covered luxury goods, premium perfumes, alcohol, and certain consumer electronics above set values, plus prohibitions on coal and other solid fossil fuels. EU participation in public procurement and several major Russian banks faced additional restrictions.
The sanctions list includes more than a hundred Russian officials and figures, including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev.