Two-thirds of Poles are pleased that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was invited to this week's commemoration of the outbreak of World War II at Westerplatte, shows a SMG/KRC poll.

Only 25 percent of respondents in a poll commissioned by the nation's widest-read daily Fakt would rather not see Putin.

Opinions on how the Polish government managed the commemoration ceremony varies: 39 percent of those polled this it was a success, 19 percent were dissatisfied and 26 percent declared disinterest.

According to Profesor Aleskander Smolar, Putin's visit to Poland was very useful for Polish politicians. “Thanks to that, Lech Kaczynski could present Poland's version of history before millions of Russians. And Putin did not come to repent or apologise, he came to lower the level of anxiety and dislike towards Russia,” claims the Profesor from University of Warsaw and head of the Stephan Batory Foundation.

According to Profesor Zdzislaw Krasnodebski from the University of Kardinal Stefan Wyszynski, German Chancellor Angela Merkel held the best position at the ceremonies.

“The Germany won out in this whole conflict. The Chancellor did not involve herself in the Polish-Russian debate, appearing as a more mature country and arbiter,” maintains the sociologist.

The 1 September ceremony was attended by 20 heads of state and government, including both Putin and Merkel, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Polish President Lech Kaczynski and Prime Minister Donald Tusk among them. (mmj)