Russia and Poland are due to meet tonight in Warsaw (kick off 7.45pm) in their Group A clash in Euro 2012. These two nations have a history fraught with difficulties, indeed, it took tragedy to even begin to bring Russians and Poles together. The tragic death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and the reaction to this of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was the start of a “healing process” between the states, but there are some actions so symbolically potent they might be described as “unwise” to pursue.
You could certainly put today’s march by Russian supporters over a central bridge in Warsaw in the “inappropriate” category. Not only does it pose what Polish authorities have called the “greatest ever” security challenge, but the idea of Russians marching into the capital city of Poland certainly raises painful memories of the past that would be best left buried. BBC journalist Dan Walker tweeted: “Polish MP Andy Hofman on Russian march through Warsaw: “This would be like the Germans marching through Tel Aviv… carrying swastikas.”
So why is this taking place?
This Chemical World 