MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Warsaw is interested in preserving good relations with Moscow, but at the same time believes that sanctions against Russia are justified, the top foreign policy adviser to the Polish president said in interview published Friday.
"Poland doesn't want and doesn't intend to have bad relations with Russia. Poland is interested in good relations with Russia, as with each of its neighbors," Krzysztof Szczerski told Polish news agency PAP.
"The president always stresses that international relations must be based on international law in order to be peaceful and stable… This means that the sanctions are entirely justified and necessary, because they represent a legitimate response to breaches of international law," Szczerski added.
Since 2014, relations between Russia and the European Union deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. Brussels, Washington and their allies have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions since Crimea became part of Russia in 2014 and over Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability.