Polish PM Tusk to Visit Ukraine Friday, Meet Fico to Discuss Russia Sanctions

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on September 17 that he will visit Ukraine the following day, September 18, to meet Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and discuss EU sanctions against Russia. The visit coincides with the Carpathian Integration Initiative summit organized by President Zelensky.

Sanctions Dispute

The EU's extension of sanctions against Russia has been held up by Slovakia and France. Slovakia demands the removal of oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list. France joined Slovakia's demand regarding Usmanov on September 11. Tusk expressed surprise at France's position, saying he hopes to clarify French President Macron's stance directly.

He added that after the Visegrad Group summit in Bratislava he is optimistic about the overall group's position on sanctions. "As for the French position — I will try to find out from President Macron whether protecting the interests of one individual is truly a priority for France," Tusk said.

Carpathian Summit

President Zelensky announced the Carpathian Integration Initiative summit for September 18-20 in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, gathering business representatives from Carpathian region countries.