Polish FM to discuss situation around Ukraine, OSCE-related issues in Moscow

MOSCOW. Feb 15 (Interfax) - Polish Foreign Minister and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairperson-in-Office Zbigniew Rau plans to discuss the situation around Ukraine and OSCE-related issues during his visit to Moscow.

"It is the first visit to Russia by Poland's foreign minister in many years, and it is taking place in the context of Poland's OSCE chairmanship. These are the OSCE-related issues that are the main subject of discussion," Rau said in an interview with Interfax ahead of his visit to Moscow.

"Of course, I hope to discuss with [Russian Foreign] Minister Sergei Lavrov the situation linked to the crisis around Ukraine and the Polish initiative to resume the dialogue on European security. I believe that our discussions will be constructive and will be surrounded by an atmosphere of mutual respect," he said.

"However, I'd like to stress that our responsibility in such a challenging political situation is to maintain communication channels and contacts, especially the most natural ones such as people-to-people, cultural, business, and scientific ties," he said.

Commenting on the possibility of deploying U.S. anti-ballistic missile systems and U.S. forces in Poland, Rau said that "since the end of the Cold War, Poland has sought to maintain good neighborly relations with Russia, respecting its sovereignty and its significance on the world stage."

"We have no reason to threaten Russia or to lay territorial claims to it. The alliances that we form are intended to ensure the best protection of Poland and the Poles. The presence of other NATO countries' troops in our territory is a manifestation of their solidarity with Poland and confirms the indivisible security principle for all members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization," he said.

When asked how Warsaw's arms supplies to Kyiv match the calls to de-escalate the situation around Ukraine, Rau said, "I want to emphasize that the weapons being transferred to Ukraine are defensive and act as a reaction to the deteriorating security situation around this country."

"The support being extended to the state, which seeks to defend its territorial integrity in line with the fundamental principles of international law, also demonstrates our respect for the European security architecture, which is based on international principles and commitments," he said.