Smolensk plane crash made Poland reassess its attitude toward Russia
If Poland and Russia continue to work constructively on their relations, to build them anew, then, in historical terms, the Smolensk plane crash may be mythologized as more of a positive event in terms of the coming together of these two Slavic peoples in greater mutual understanding. REUTERS/ Denis Sinyakov Valdaiclub.com interview with Alexander Rahr, Director of the Russia/Eurasia Program, German Council on Foreign Relations. What prospects do you think there are for Russian-Polish relations considering the political and emotional aftermath of the presidential plane crash at Smolensk? I am convinced that the Smolensk plane crash made Poland reassess its attitude toward Russia and that Poland, under its current government at least, is trying to devise a very constructive Eastern policy for Europe. I believe that Poland’s presidency of the European Union, due to begin in six months’ time, will generate new, constructive modes of Russia-EU cooperation. We will not slide back ...