Russia ready to help Poland with Smolensk and Katyn visits

Poland commemorates Smolensk crash ninth anniversary

Źródło: tvn24

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday confirmed readiness to help to organise a visit of Polish delegation in Smolensk and Katyn on April 10. The ministry also expressed astonishment with rumours claiming Russia could create any obstacles in that regard.

The ministry "confirms readiness to provide assistance in organising the visit in accordance with the binding protocol" - Polish journalists were informed by the Russian MFA. "We can't see why anyone in Poland would think that the Russian side could create any obstacles" - the ministry announced.

The spokesman for Polish prime minister, MIchał Dworczyk, was asked on Wednesday by reporters if a decision regarding Polish delegation's visit to Smolensk and Katyn could be expected in early March.

"We're in a dialogue with the Russian Fedaration authorities and we're analysing possibilities based on the information we receive on a regular basis" - Dworczyk said.

"Once the decision's been made, you will be informed" - the chief of the PM's Chancellery said.

Earlier in February, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced he planned to visit Smolensk and Katyn in April, in order to commemorate the victims of the 2010 plane crash, that killed the then president Lech Kaczynski and 95 others, and of the 1940 Katyn forest massacre of Polish officers and intelligentsia.

Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Jacek Czaputowicz informed on February 15 that Polish Embassy in Russia officially asked Russian authorities for help in organising the April commemorations.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Smolesk catastrophy and the 80th of the Katyn massacre.