Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislyak on Friday confirmed talks with Poland over the Russia's opposition to a US missile shield planned for Central Europe, according to dpa. Kislyak stated that he is to attend the talks on January 10 in Warsaw, the Interfax news agency reported. Relations between Russia and Poland have improved since the arrival of Poland's new government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The nationalist-conservative government of former Polish premier Jaroslaw Kaczynski would not talk with Moscow over the issue. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski announced January's bilateral meeting earlier Friday, but told Polish radio the talks carried with them no obligation, but were out of "neighbourly politeness." Striking a pessimistic note, Sikorski added talks by the United States to overcome Russian qualms over the shield failed some years ago. The US says its planned new bases - 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic - are to counter missile attacks from "rogue" states such as Iran. Russia says the shield would weaken its nuclear deterrent, and said it will take counter measures if the US plans in Europe went ahead.
