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Putin Pleasing the Poles To Woo the West
January 22, 2002
Summary
Russian President Vladimir Putin has just made his first trip to Poland. It is in sharp contrast to Polish-Russian relations a year ago that Putin has been nothing but conciliatory and complementary toward Warsaw. Conceding to many of Poland's demands may cost Russia a bit in the long term, but Putin is looking at the big picture. A secure and friendly Warsaw is Moscow's best conduit to gain influence in Europe.
In Warsaw, Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski (C) took part in a ceremony of laying wreaths at the monument to Soviet soldiers on Thursday, January 17, 2002.
Photo Credit: Vladimir Rodionov,Sergei Velichkin -- ITAR-TASS.
Analysis
Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled Poland Jan. 15-17 in the first visit by a Russian head of state in eight years. Despite the fact that relations between the two nations turned hostile after Poland joined NATO in 1999, Putin had nothing but warm smiles and complements for his host, newly elected Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski.
Putin recognizes that accommodating Warsaw and building closer ties will allow Russia to advance its economic and political goals not only throughout Europe but also in Poland itself. The cost of appeasing the Poles is miniscule compared to the payoff, and for Russia, time is of the essence.
Putin unexpectedly hailed Poland as a "full and equal partner," which is a far cry from the traditional Russian view of the country as an ungrateful prodigal son. In his comments, reported by the Los Angeles Times, about the failure of the Soviet empire in Central Europe, he pointed out with his trademark dry humor that "Poles are not willing to accept any form of dictate." This was about as close as a Russian leader can come to an apology for 45 years of Soviet rule.
Putin appealed directly to Polish pride by expressing admiration for Poland's favorite son, Pope John Paul II. Putin even raised the possibility of a papal visit to Moscow, suggesting that the pope could come as the Vatican's head of state rather than as a religious leader. To date, the Russian Orthodox Church has squelched any possibility of a papal visit for fear of losing influence to the Roman Catholic Church.
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(Story Source)
(c) 2002 Stratfor, Inc.
Dan
Putin Pleasing the Poles To Woo the West . . .