Russian PM Putin’s attendance at the World War II anniversary observances and the upcoming meeting of the Polish-Russian Strategy Committee show that the two countries are turning over a new leaf.

Press reviewed by Alicja Baczyńska

Poland and Russia look to a thaw in relations, which is quite a change since they had become chilly under the right-wing Law and Justice, writes Gazeta Wyborcza. After 1,5 years of the currently ruling center-right Civic Platform, the ice gave way, and despite several controversial issues, such as the Northern Pipeline, or the Katyn massacre in 1940, the two countries are finally talking like neighbours, writes the paper. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has been invited to attend the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II in Gdansk, alongside heads of 27 EU countries, and leaders of Israel and the United States. Following the observance, Vladimir Putin is to take part in the first intergovernmental consultations between Russia and Poland since 1989. Looks like the two countries are off to a good start, as head of Polish diplomacy Radosław Sikorski, and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, are to chair the Polish-Russian Strategy Committee tomorrow, where the officials will discuss both previously unmentioned and contentious matters including student exchange programmes, or access to the Baltyisk Strait located in the Kaliningrad District adjacent to Poland. Moreover, Radosław Sikorski, will attempt to convince the Russians that the Eastern Partnership programme aimed at strengthening ties between the EU and former Soviet states is not meant to work against Russia. Mr. Sikorski will, however, firmly stand by one statement: that EU’s neighbours have the right to choose their partners themselves, even if Russia treats them like its own zone of influence.

Former president Lech Wałęsa’s participation in the congress of Declan Ganley’s euroskeptic party, Libertas, has brought about major criticism in Poland, writes Rzeczpospolita. A sociologist from the Institute of Public Affairs quoted by the paper, for one, believes such a step was unbecoming of a member of EU’s group of wise men. He has added that the former president and Solidarity icon cannot simply be hired by anyone. Wałęsa himself has cited financial reasons for attending the congress, explaining that the lifelong compensation as former head of state, which amounts to about 700 euro a month, is insufficient. This turn of events has prompted the ruling Civic Platform to reconsider increasing pensions for former presidents. Other perks given to former presidents for life include 2,500 euro for running an office every month, security services provided by the Government Protection Bureau and the right to medical treatment at the Hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, one of the top health facilities in Poland, writes Rzeczpospolita.

And on a lighter note, the Polska daily outlines the new dress code recently introduced by General Director of the Foreign Services Rafał Wiśniewski. The conservative and very detailed new regulations have done away with extravagances such as slits in skirts, dresses shorter than 7,5 cm below the knee, or sleeveless shirts. Shiny or patterned stockings are now a no-no, as are long earrings or sporting more than one bracelet. As for the men, the new policy requires them to wear suits in one colour and socks long enough to cover their ‘hairy calves’, writes the paper. The female civil servants at the Foreign Affairs Ministry have not taken to the 'imperious decision' of Rafał Wiśniewski. According to one of the employees some women are already putting on a little extra jewellery to manifest their disapproval. Only time will tell whether the silent protest will die down or turn into a vanity fair.