Updated

Poland's leaders have guardedly accepted words of regret from FBI boss James Comey over remarks that seemed to equal Poland's role in the Holocaust with that of Germany.

The remarks last week sparked protests and demands for an apology from Poland's leaders, who stressed that Poland was the victim, not the perpetrator of World War II.

Comey met Wednesday with Poland's ambassador to Washington, Ryszard Schnepf, to express regret over linking Poland and Germany in his speech concerning the Holocaust.

Polish Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna reacted by saying: "Better late than never. The matter is closed."

But Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz said Poles had expected more than just words of regret. President Bronislaw Komorowski noted that the Americans should gain more knowledge about Poland under Nazi occupation.