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Poland summons Russian ambassador over ‘absurd’ claim of blocking aid

26.03.2020 15:30
Poland’s foreign ministry on Thursday summoned Russia's ambassador to protest at an “absurd” claim that Warsaw had refused to let Russian planes carrying aid to virus-struck Italy pass through Polish airspace, a news agency reported.
Photo: Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Photo: Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.gov.pl

The foreign ministry said that Russia’s ambassador to Warsaw, Sergey Andreyev, was told that Poland was indignant over the accusation, according to Polish state news agency PAP.

The Polish foreign ministry added that the dissemination of false information "which divides nations and societies is particularly reprehensible in a situation where our joint task should be fighting off the unprecedented threat of a deadly pandemic which knows no borders."

In a tweet that made headlines in Russian media on Monday, Russian senator Alexey Pushkov said: “Poland did not let Russian aircraft carrying aid to Italy pass through its airspace.”

“This is meanness at the level of public policy […] From now on, Russia should not meet Poland half-way, on any issue,” the tweet added.

Polish news website onet.pl has reported that over recent days Russia has sent planes to Italy with doctors and medical assistance as that country struggles with a devastating coronavirus epidemic.

(pk/gs)

Source: PAP