In Could, Poland ordered Russia’s consulate in Krakow to close after accusations Moscow orchestrated hearth at Warsaw purchasing centre.
Russia says it would shut Poland’s consulate in Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania, after Warsaw determined to close down the Russian consulate in Krakow.
The Russian Ministry of Overseas Affairs introduced the transfer on Friday.
This follows Poland ordering the Russian consulate within the southern metropolis of Krakow to close in Could after authorities accused Moscow of orchestrating a fireplace that destroyed a Warsaw purchasing centre final 12 months.
The Could 12, 2024, arson destroyed greater than 1,000 outlets on the Marywilska 44 centre, however nobody was injured.
Polish Overseas Minister Radoslaw Sikorski accused Russian particular providers of involvement, saying there was proof they’d dedicated a “reprehensible act of sabotage” in opposition to the centre. Russia denied any involvement within the assault.
In Could, Russia promised an “enough response” to Poland’s transfer, and on Friday, the Overseas Ministry stated it was “withdrawing consent for the functioning of the Consulate Normal of Poland in Kaliningrad from August 29”.
It additionally stated Poland’s cost d’affaires in Russia was summoned and handed a proper word saying the transfer, citing “unfriendly” and “unjustified” actions by the Polish authorities.
“This step was brought on by the unfounded and hostile actions of the Polish aspect, expressed within the discount of the Russian consular presence on the territory of Poland,” it added.
Strained ties
Polish Ministry of Overseas Affairs spokesperson Pawel Wronski stated Russia’s determination to shut the consulate was unjustified.
The potential of this determination “was taken under consideration by the Overseas Ministry”, he instructed reporters on Friday. However he added that this “doesn’t imply that it’s a legit determination”.
“In contrast to Russia, Poland doesn’t interact in sabotage, cyberattacks or conduct actions in opposition to the Russian state,” he stated.
He added that Poland would “reply adequately” to the choice, with out elaborating.
Diplomatic ties between Moscow and Warsaw have been traditionally strained and have frayed additional over Russia’s warfare in Ukraine.
Poland, a NATO and European Union member, is likely one of the fundamental international locations via which Western nations provide weapons and ammunition to Kyiv.
In Could 2024, Poland imposed restrictions on the actions of Russian diplomats on its soil as a result of Moscow’s “involvement” in what it known as a “hybrid warfare”.
Poland later ordered the closure of Russia’s consulate in Poznan and stated it was keen to shut the opposite consulates if acts of “terrorism” continued.
In January, Russia closed the Polish consulate in St Petersburg in retaliation.
Aside from the embassies, each international locations now solely have one consulate left on their respective territories.
