Rosja w polityce zagranicznej Polski w okresie pozimnowojennym (aspekty polityczne)

Abstract

The purpose of the case study is to highlight the main stages, and their characteristics, in Polish foreign policy towards the Russian Federation in the twenty‑year period after the end of Cold War era. The particular attention has been paid to the most recent period in Polish‑Russian relations that falls between 2008 and 2011. Author emphasizes new accents in Polish foreign policy towards Russia, which were introduced by the Government of Donald Tusk after 2008. The principal thesis of the case study assumes that the character of Polish‑Russian relations in the post‑Cold War era did depend on Russia and its internal and external policy, including the policy towards Poland. However, it didn’t depend on it entirely. The Polish‑ Russian relations were also conditioned by Poland, Polish foreign policy and, above all, by Polish policy towards Russia and its Western neighbors that had formed part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics before. These bilateral relations were also conditioned by the existence of Polish governing parties’ political will to improve relations with Russia. Both sides, Poland and Russia, are responsible for the shape of Polish‑Russian dialogue. In opposition to the opinion that prevails in Poland, the Author reckons that the successive governing parties in this country are somewhat responsible for the poor condition of Polish‑Russian relations in the post‑Cold War era. In the case study the Author gives numerous arguments to back up his statement.