Posted on 11/23/2014 5:54:09 AM PST by wetphoenix
Poland and Russia expelled each other's diplomats this week and canceled cultural exchanges. But many Poles, driven by longstanding ties as well as business interests, want more dialogue. Will the new PM deliver?
Anyone who has been listening to the Polish government this year would think Poles want nothing to do with Russia.
Just this week, Russia said several of its diplomats were expelled from Poland, and in return, Polish diplomats were asked to leave Moscow. The Polish government cancelled a series of cultural events that were to be held next year to celebrate ties between the two nations, and both are fighting over plans for monuments in each other’s towns and cities. For much of this year, under the leadership of former prime minister Donald Tusk and former foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland has been the champion of harsher European Union sanctions on Russia.
But the sentiment of Poles isn’t necessarily reflected in the political rhetoric. In fact, Poles are much more in line with their German neighbors: They are afraid of Russia but want a practical, responsible coexistence with Russia – a sentiment that could pressure Poland's leaders to step back from their hawkish positions.
“Most public opinion polls show that people in Poland want a more pragmatic and middle-of-the-road politics toward Russia,” says Maciej Ras, an expert on Russia at the Institute of International Relations at the University of Warsaw. “And spin doctors of the political parties will keep this in their minds, especially before next year's elections.”
In a May 2014 survey by polling institute CBOS, 60 percent of respondents said that Poland should be pragmatic in foreign policy and look to its own interests first. Thirty-eight percent said they preferred, if they had to choose, to have better relations with Russia than with Ukraine or
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Poles will never be truly free with Russia breathing on them. The Germans weren’t much help either.
What would you suggest for them?
Just install the neutron bomb that Jimmy cata gave away.
Bullshyt.
“60 percent of respondents said that Poland should be pragmatic in foreign policy and look to its own interests first.”
Well, If they ask such questions, I'm surprised that 100% didn't say yes but it has nothing to do with Russian issue.
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