Further news about the tragic death of Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski

 Medvedev visits Polish Embassy in Moscow to pay tribute to plane crash victims

MOSCOW. April 12 (Interfax) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited the Polish Embassy in Moscow on Monday to pay his respects following a plane crash on Sunday that killed Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski and 96 others. Medvedev, who was met at the entrance by Polish Ambassador Jerzy Bahr, lit candles and laid flowers near a photo of Kaczynski and his wife Maria, who was also aboard the plane that crashed in Smolensk in western Russia. "The dreadful tragedy - the death of Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria, Polish political leaders, lawmakers, religious and public figures - has shocked the Russian people," Medvedev wrote in the book of condolences. "The loss left an unfillable void. We are grieving together with you. We share the pain of loss," he wrote. On behalf of the Russian people I would like to say "the words of sympathy to the victims’ relatives and loved ones and the entire Polish nation. Please accept our sincere condolences," the president wrote. Russia is holding a day of national mourning, where this morning the Polish Embassy was visited by Russian politicians and high-ranking officials, including heads of foreign diplomatic missions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, chairperson of the Russian Presidential Council for Civil Institutions and Human Rights Ella Pamfilova and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev were among those who paid their respects.

 Russia working hard to prevent Smolensk plane crash from harming Russian-Polish relations

MOSCOW. April 12 (Interfax) - Russia is doing all it can to prevent the recent plane crash near Smolensk, in which Polish President Lech Kaczynski was killed, from damaging Russian-Polish relations. "We are doing everything possible at all levels to stop this tragedy from negatively impacting our relations with Poland," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Ekho Moskvy radio on Monday. Ryabkov said Russian-Polish relations have recently entered "a positive trajectory." "There are reasons for hope for that. Of course, we don’t see any political background here," Ryabkov said. "We are just doing everything to alleviate the pain and suffering of the people of Poland and, of course, the relatives and loved ones of those killed in this horrible crash," Ryabkov said.

 Putin: Russia will do all it can to ensure objective probe into Smolensk plane crash

MOSCOW. April 12 (Interfax) - Russia will do everything possible to ensure an objective and complete investigation into the plane crash in which Polish President Lech Kaczynski was killed, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the Russian government presidium on Monday Polish foreign minister thanks Russia for help in crash aftermath MOSCOW. April 12 (Interfax) - Poland has thanked Russia for its help in dealing with the aftermath of the plane crash carrying Polish President Lech Kaczynski. The foreign ministers Sergei Lavrov of Russia and Radoslaw Sikorski of Poland had a phone conversation on Monday, April 11, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a report. "The Polish minister expressed deep appreciation for the comprehensive assistance and attention given by the Russian authorities in connection with the plane crash near Smolensk, in which Polish President Lech Kaczynski was killed," the Russian Foreign Ministry has reported. Sikorsky also thanked Russia for helping the crash victims’ relatives, who continue to arrive in Moscow.

For further information: Interfax