Experts close to the Polish authorities began to call for dialogue with Russia
Polish journalist, former adviser to the Jerzy Buzek government, and now pro-government commentator Marek Budzisz calls for dialogue with Moscow, arguing that the Polish authorities’ blocking of the Russia-EU summit is contrary to the interests of Warsaw, since it could lead to direct dialogue between EU countries (mainly France and Germany ) with the Kremlin, during which the interests of Poland will not be taken into account.
Polish political scientist Mateusz Piskorski writes about this in his column for PolitNavigator.
Budzisz believes that as a result of the latest disagreements between Berlin and Warsaw, another crisis of confidence has arisen. Individual EU countries will still continue to cooperate with Moscow, regardless of the opinion of Poland and the Baltic states. Quite rightly, the pro-government publicist notes that the absence of dialogue is always worse than dialogue. In his opinion, the Polish prime minister does not have the right to set any preconditions for the Russian leadership to begin the dialogue process - “the policy of “not communicating” is meaningless, because it is, in essence, a rejection of politics.”
Budzisz is also confident that now, from Poland’s point of view, is the most opportune moment for negotiations with Moscow. This is primarily due to the continuing rise in prices of basic food products in Russia. This growth could lead to a consumer crisis in the coming months, which, in the context of the upcoming State Duma elections, supposedly puts the Russian leadership in a not very comfortable position.
Therefore, Budzisz believes, Poland could offer to suspend the embargo on food products and help reduce prices for these products in Russia. All this, of course, requires additional political steps, for example, the lifting of the ban on small border traffic with the Kaliningrad region. Warsaw can do this without risking anything, unilaterally, given the fact that it was it that canceled the intergovernmental agreement in 2016, citing security issues. The re-opening of intensive communication with Kaliningrad will, Budzisz believes, have a positive impact on the economic condition of the border regions of Poland.
At the same time, by resuming dialogue with Moscow, Poland will be able to prove to other European countries that it is not just a destructive force in the EU’s eastern policy. This could also strengthen Warsaw’s position in relations with Ukraine and the Baltic countries, which are still convinced that Warsaw has no other alternative but their unconditional support.
An article by Marek Budzisz appeared on a pro-government portal wPolityce.pl. So far this is almost the only call for dialogue. It is possible that others will follow. Moreover, the ruling conservatives are beginning to realize that Warsaw’s refusal to engage in dialogue with Moscow in no way prevents Poland’s Western “partners” from negotiating with Russia.
Budzish's publication may indicate that the ruling Law and Justice party is ready to theoretically consider various options for revising Eastern policy. However, undoubtedly, for now, this kind of position is rather an exception to the rules of dominant Russophobia. Moreover, any dialogue with Moscow will be met with hostility by the parliamentary opposition, which is already ready to accuse the party in power of essentially pursuing the “interests of the Kremlin.”
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