Europe News

Polish, Russian ministers to meet ahead of Putin visit

May 5, 2009, 11:12 GMT

Warsaw - Poland's foreign minister was to arrive in Moscow Tuesday for meetings with his Russian counterpart on energy and defence amid tense relations between the Kremlin and Warsaw. The meetings come ahead of a planned visit in September by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who will be in Poland for ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski was to meet with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in what Poland called proof of 'normalizing relations,' reported the Polish Press Agency. The meeting also showed Russia now sees Warsaw as a serious player in the EU, and not as an 'anti-Russian troublemaker,' the daily Wyborcza commentated. The meeting will discuss the so-called Eastern Partnership and the United States missile shield to be built in Poland: both controversial topics that have raised tension between Poland and Russia. Lavrov has spoken out against the Eastern Partnership - a Polish- Swedish initiative to strengthen EU ties with six former Soviet states - saying it's an attempt to build a 'sphere of influence' in former Soviet space. Poland also irked Russia after signing a deal with the US to place a missile shield on its soil in exchange for military aid. Russia says the shield targets its nuclear arsenal, despite US assurances that it is meant for protection against Iran.

Europe News

Polish, Russian ministers to meet ahead of Putin visit

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