Poland cancels plans to make 2015 a year of cultural celebrations with Russia

WARSAW, Poland – The Polish government has canceled plans for a year of cultural celebrations with Russia out of anger with Russian actions in Ukraine.

The Foreign Ministry said it summoned the Russian ambassador on Thursday to inform him of the decision.

Poland and Russia had planned to devote 2015 to events in each country celebrating the other's culture. They were meant to improve ties between the countries following years of tensions.

But government spokeswoman Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska said earlier that such celebrations are impossible after the Malaysian Airlines plane was shot down in eastern Ukraine last week.

Poland has firmly condemned Russia's annexation of Crimea and accuses it of arming the pro-Russia separatists who allegedly shot down the passenger plane, killing all 298 people on board.