Poland again speaks of threat from Russia

Poland’s Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz has announced Warsaw and Riga have similar basic directions in their foreign policies. He made the statement at a joint news conference with his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkēvičs, Polskie Radio reports.

“Strengthening of NATO and readiness for defense and deterrence is our common goal on the threshold of the forthcoming NATO summit that is planned to be held in Brussels in July. Poland and Latvia have a similar perception of the threat from the east, to be more precise, from Russia’s side,” Czaputowicz said.

Meanwhile, Czech President Milos Zeman arrived in Warsaw on an official visit. He is planned to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and the chairs of the Senate and Sejm. The presidents intend to discuss security issues in the context of NATO, the cooperation within the European Union, and exchange views on the Russian policy both towards Ukraine and the West.

To remind, Milos Zeman has been the Czech president since 2013, late January he was re-elected for a second term. Contrary to the Latvian leadership, the Czech leader is known for his pro-Russian stance, for instance, he repeatedly spoke against anti-Russian sanctions. Zeman supports construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and is skeptical about allegations that Moscow is engaged in the Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia poisoning in Salisbury, UK.