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Polish-Russian relations have never been good, but for the sake of European security and stability they should be
improved, particularly in the time of a crisis which
challenges the whole world.
Russia under Putin started to rebuild its position as
a regional super power and began redefining its role in the
world. Thus, it should come as no surprise that Poland and
other countries of the region felt threatened by these signs
of the revival of Russian imperialism.
To day Russia stands on the cross roads where the
neo -imperial ambitions, fuelled by the stream of
petro dollars, meet the new reality of crisis. In such a critical situation the option of the state’s disintegration can not be ruled out. This would pose a direct threat to the countries of our region.
The Obama administration offered a new, softer approach to
Russia. This so - called “reset button policy” of including
Russia as a partner rather than excluding or alienating it was warmly welcomed by the old EU member states. The Central
European countries were more sceptical. President
Medvedev’s statement about the placement of Iskander
rockets in Kaliningrad and the newly announced doctrine
of building “the sphere of Russian privileged interest”
(“the near abroad”) deepened this distrust.
The Polish- Swedish Eastern Partnership Initiative can be
a stimulating factor for building the stability and securi ty in the region if both parties – the EU and the countries covered by the EP – treat it seriously enough.
The international community should cooperate with Russia
with a great dose of discretion, caution but also
determination. If Russia wants to be a partner for Western
democracies, Russia’s leaders have to follow the set of
widely recognised international standards.
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