MOSCOW, Jan. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin Saturday had a telephone conversation with his Polish counterpart Aleksander Kwasniewski to discuss cooperation between the two countries, according to the Russian media.

    In the conversation the two heads of state focused on preparation work for the upcoming celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

    The presidents exchanged views on certain aspects related to bilateral and international interaction, the Itar-Tass said.

    Not long ago, when defending Russia's foreign policy in the annual news conference in Moscow on Dec. 23, Putin accused the West of using double standards to pressure Russia's allies in other former Soviet republics.

    In his criticism of the West, Putin named Polish President Kwasniewski, who was quoted as saying that "Russia without Ukraineis better than Russia with Ukraine" for the United States, noting that the remark meant that Washington is seeking to isolate Russia.

    But Kwasniewski argued that Putin's criticism was unfair and said Poland would pay for the involvement in solving the politicalcrisis in Ukraine. Enditem