Thaw in relations sees Russia end objection to Poland's NATO membership

In what observers suggest may mark an end to the freeze in Polish-Russian relations, President Aleksander Kwasniewski has held talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. During a brief stop in Moscow by Kwasniewski, Putin confirmed the thaw when he said there were no points of disagreement between Russia and Poland. In a major departure from Russia's previously-held stance, he stated that Moscow no long disapproves of Poland's NATO membership. On another matter, Putin said Russia perceives Poland's geographical position as advantageous in Russia's plans to expand its energy exports in the future. Looking forward to the Russian president's planned visit to Poland beginning on January 16, Kwasniewski said, "The President of Russia last visited Poland eight years ago. It is high time to welcome him in Warsaw again." (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 11; Rzeczpospolita, p. A7) M.T.K.