Analysts covering Russian-Polish relations...

Immediately after the plane crash near Smolensk on April 10, in which Polish President Lech Kaczynski died, they wrote that the tragedy would incite hatred of Russia in Poland. But when Prime Minister Vladimir Putin flew to the site, Russians laid flowers at the Polish Embassy and President Dmitry Medvedev made an unprecedented announcement of a day of mourning for the death of foreign citizens (the Polish press emphasized the latter), Polish society expressed gratitude.

Even people who usually post critical comments on the web sites of Polish newspapers have expressed gratitude and even a sincere desire for unity with Russians.

Then it was reported that the airport tower controllers at Severny Airport in Smolensk did not speak English fluently and so could be indirectly responsible for the crash, which again provoked negative sentiments.

These public opinion tides are a mirror reflection of difficult Russian-Polish relations, even though a majority of Poles and

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