Russia: A Rapprochement With Poland

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Aug. 31 sent a letter to the Polish people in which he denounced the World War II era Molotov-Ribbentrop treaty. The Polish population, who views the pact as a symbol of Russo-German aggression, likely sees Putin's condemnation as a way to reconcile with Russia. However, it will be difficult for Warsaw to choose between accepting an accord with its traditional enemy or resuming its long-standing policy of aggression toward Moscow with the United States still undecided on the ballistic missile defense system placement in Poland.