Another European Union country, Poland, is closing its borders to cars with Russian license plates.
This was announced today by the country's Minister of Internal Affairs, Mariusz Kaminski.
The ban will take effect from Sunday, September 17.
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– In connection with the publication on September 8 of the European Commission’s instructions on the ban on the entry into the European Union of cars registered in Russia, I inform you that this ban at the Polish border will come into force tomorrow, September 17, and will come into force today at midnight, — Kaminsky noted.
According to the minister, this means that not a single passenger car registered in the Russian Federation will be able to enter the territory of Poland. The ban applies to all vehicles – both commercial and private.
Kaminsky recalled that Poland had previously introduced a similar ban for Russian trucks.
– Not a single Russian car will enter Poland. This applies to all cars – both those used for commercial purposes and private ones – regardless of whether the car is driven by a citizen of Russia or another country. The rule is this: a car with Russian registration is not allowed into Poland, — explained Kaminsky.
The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasized that this is another element of sanctions against the Russian Federation and its citizens in connection with the brutal war against Ukraine.
The press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs clarified that from September 17, vehicles registered in the Russian Federation and equipped with Russian license plates that appear at the Polish border will be returned “to the country outside the EU from which they came”. Such actions will be taken even if the driver of the car is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.
What other countries have banned the entry of cars with Russian license plates
Previously, the same ban was introduced by the Baltic countries and Finland.
Ban on the entry of cars with Russian license plates into Latviabegan to operate on September 12 from 18:00 local time. Those entering in such cars must return to the Russian Federation or Belarus, and in case of refusal, the vehicle may be confiscated.
The government of Lithuania also announced a ban on September 12. An exception is made for vehicles in transit to Kaliningrad. Drivers who violate the ban may have their cars confiscated.
As of September 13, the ban was also introduced at the borders of Estonia. And from midnight on September 16, Finland joined the Baltic countries.
The statement by the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs means that all EU member states bordering Russia have banned the entry of cars with Russian license plates.
On September 8, the European Commission published an explanation of how EU countries apply the ban on the import of sanctioned goods from Russia, including vehicles. According to the document, entry into the European Union by a passenger car registered in the Russian Federation is regarded as prohibited import.
