Poland criticises France and Germany for being too close to Russia
Poland's deputy prime minister accused France and Germany of having too strong ties to Russia in an interview published Sunday, as he condemned Berlin's behaviour towards Moscow before the invasion of Ukraine.
"Germany, like France, has a strong bias in Moscow's favour," Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who is also leader of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, told German daily Die Welt in an interview.
Kaczynski saved his strongest words for Berlin.
"Over the years, the German government did not want to see what Russia was doing under the leadership of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and we see the result today," Kaczynski said.
"Poland is not pleased with Germany's role in Europe," he added.
He rebuked Berlin for having sought to rebuild what the former 19th century chancellor Otto von Bismarck "had done... German domination but side by side with Russia".
The Polish deputy prime minister condemned Berlin especially for failing to deliver enough weapons to Ukraine and refusing an embargo at least on the import of oil from Russia.
"It's important to know that Russia gets four to five times more revenue from its oil sales than gas sales," Kaczynski said.
READ ALSO: What would Germany do if Russia cuts off the gas supply?
"We cannot continue to permanently support a great power like Russia by paying it billions," he added.
Before Russia's invasion on February 24th, Germany imported 55 percent of its natural gas from Russia, half its coal and around 35 percent of its oil.
Macron has previously come under criticism for his relationship with Putin and their close contact. His dealings with the Russian prime minister in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been one such sore point, according to political reports.
READ ALSO: French firms under fire for continuing commercial operations in Russia
Meanwhile, France and Germany are preparing for a cut in Russian gas deliveries, France’s economy minister said on Thursday, as Putin warned Moscow will turn off supply for those who refuse to pay in rubles.
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"Germany, like France, has a strong bias in Moscow's favour," Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who is also leader of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, told German daily Die Welt in an interview.
Kaczynski saved his strongest words for Berlin.
"Over the years, the German government did not want to see what Russia was doing under the leadership of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and we see the result today," Kaczynski said.
"Poland is not pleased with Germany's role in Europe," he added.
He rebuked Berlin for having sought to rebuild what the former 19th century chancellor Otto von Bismarck "had done... German domination but side by side with Russia".
The Polish deputy prime minister condemned Berlin especially for failing to deliver enough weapons to Ukraine and refusing an embargo at least on the import of oil from Russia.
"It's important to know that Russia gets four to five times more revenue from its oil sales than gas sales," Kaczynski said.
READ ALSO: What would Germany do if Russia cuts off the gas supply?
"We cannot continue to permanently support a great power like Russia by paying it billions," he added.
Before Russia's invasion on February 24th, Germany imported 55 percent of its natural gas from Russia, half its coal and around 35 percent of its oil.
Macron has previously come under criticism for his relationship with Putin and their close contact. His dealings with the Russian prime minister in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been one such sore point, according to political reports.
READ ALSO: French firms under fire for continuing commercial operations in Russia
Meanwhile, France and Germany are preparing for a cut in Russian gas deliveries, France’s economy minister said on Thursday, as Putin warned Moscow will turn off supply for those who refuse to pay in rubles.
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