Pres Macron/Polish PM Morawiecki To Discuss Energy Crisis

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecski has told reporters that he will travel to Paris on Monday to discuss "the situation in Ukraine, defence cooperation, and energy issues" with French President Emmanuel Macron, per Reuters.

• Morawiecski: "In addition to security we will also talk about energy. We can see that Russia has caused a huge wave of inflation all over the world. We will talk with the President of France on how to alleviate inflationary pressure, especially on the energy market."
• Macron has emerged as one of the most forward EU leaders on energy security policy. Macron has announced a freeze on gas bills, energy subsidies, a 4% cap on electricity bill rises, and the full nationalisation of EDF.
• Macron warned French citizens this week that they should brace for a harsh winter, saying it is "the price of our freedom."
• The meeting comes as chatter increases in European capitals over the prospect of a price-cap on Russian gas. An idea which may be discussed at the next EU leaders summit in October.
• Macron has also continued in his role as the most willing European leader to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two held their first call in two months on Friday, agreeing that an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should be dispatched to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.