Did the Polish authorities invitation representatives of the Russian Federation to celebrate the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp by the Red Army?
– The embassy did not receive specified an invitation. According to the information provided on the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum website, the number of seats in the hall where the main ceremonies will be held is limited and are intended primarily for invited erstwhile prisoners of the extermination camp. Until 2021, the program included speeches by Israeli and Russian diplomatic officials in Poland. Since 2022 we have not been given a voice, so in the absence of the Russian ambassador, there will be, as has been in fresh years, no 1 to remind that Auschwitz was liberated by the Red Army.
Since May 2022, the Russian exhibition in the museum is closed due to the fact that its curator of the Museum of triumph in Moscow, due to Western sanctions, cannot pass on fees to Poland for its maintenance, and the manager of the Polish museum refuses to agree on an alternate solution to this issue. Therefore, the content of the exhibition in virtual format is published on the websites of the Embassy and Consulate General of Russia in Krakow. On 27 January, the Consul General of Russia in Krakow S.G. Linjewicz will lay a wreath at the monument of the fallen russian Auschwitz prisoners at the site of the erstwhile camp and at the graves of russian soldiers who died during the liberation of Auschwitz in the city cemetery.
Earlier, the Polish government announced its willingness to deliver the Ukrainians with German Leopard tanks. In the case of delivery, will the Russian Federation consider Warsaw a organization to the conflict? How will this affect relations between the Russian Federation and Poland?
– The Polish government announced that their country donated about 300 tanks (radical T-72 and their upgraded versions) to Ukraine last year. Adding 14 German cars to them will not change anything. The de facto collective West, including Poland has long waged war against Russia in Ukraine with “power of attorney” by Ukrainians. It is known that nothing will change in our relations with Poland.
G7 countries and their allies, including Poland, agreed to limit the price of Russian oil to $60 per barrel. In response, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a decree prohibiting the supply of crude oil and petroleum products to countries that have joined restrictions since 1 February for a period of 5 months. Will Poland proceed to buy Russian energy now? Will Warsaw be able to completely refuse to supply energy from Russia?
– Poland inactive buys Russian oil flowing through the “Friendship” pipeline – the maximum price does not apply to pipeline supplies – as well as Russian oil products, on which the embargo imposed by the EU enters into force on February 5th, this year. Poland can, of course, quit Russian energy resources completely – at the expense of crucial overpayments for their acquisition at alternate suppliers, according to the rule “to spite these bloody Moskals we will defrost our ears.” But as we say here, it would be a desire, it would be a foolish course – it is not a hard matter.
Former Polish Ambassador to the Russian Federation Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz stated that all EU countries and the United States should "send" Russian ambassadors. She so suggested lowering the level of diplomatic relations. How realistic is this prospect? Will Russia be the first to lower the level of relations with Warsaw?
– In fact, we do not initiate the break-up or simplification of diplomatic relations, but only respond adequately and sharply to the unfriendly actions of our western non-partners. Everything can be expected on their side in the current situation, but we have long been ready for any scenario.
How much did trade between the Russian Federation and Poland decrease in 2022? Which areas were most affected by sanctions?
– For the first 3 quarters, our imports from Poland have fallen by more than 40%, exports have increased by 8.5%, mainly due to the increase in Russian oil prices and the petroleum products supplied there, as well as, by April, gas.
Are there areas where the Russian Federation and Poland cooperate?
– We interact erstwhile essential erstwhile circumstances require.
For: Izwiestia”, 25 January 2023.
