The Polish Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that ten employees of the Russian consulate general in Poznan will have to leave Poland following Warsaw’s decision to close the consular office. This decision comes in response to escalating tensions between Poland and Russia, including an attack plot on the consulate. Three diplomats and five administrative and technical staff, as well as two employees who were supposed to be accredited in Poland, will be affected by this decision.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski ordered the closure of one of the three Russian consulates in Poland in response to sabotage activities that he claims were sponsored by Moscow. He accused Russia of engaging in hybrid warfare against Poland and its Western allies and warned that further decisive steps could be taken if Russia does not stop. Sikorski specifically mentioned an arson attack in Wrocław that was foiled, with a Ukrainian citizen confessing that Russian agents had ordered him to carry out the attack.
Sikorski cited the arrest of a 51-year-old man in connection with the arson attempt and mentioned that about 20 suspected saboteurs are under investigation in Poland. He also claimed to have information about similar arson plans in allied countries, attributing these actions to Russia. The Polish government has accused the Kremlin of waging a hybrid war against the West, particularly in response to Western support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded to the Polish government’s actions by warning that Russia would not hesitate to respond in kind. She specifically mentioned that Polish diplomats should be prepared. As a result of the decision to close the Russian consulate in Poznan, the affected staff are expected to leave Poland by early November. Meanwhile, Poland maintains three consulates in Russia, located in Kaliningrad, St Petersburg, and Irkutsk.
Overall, the closure of the Russian consulate in Poznan and the expulsion of its staff represent a significant escalation in tensions between Poland and Russia. This move is part of a broader geopolitical context characterized by accusations of hybrid warfare and sabotage on the part of Russia. The decision by the Polish government reflects its commitment to countering what it perceives as hostile actions by the Kremlin, particularly in the context of Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The implications of this decision for the diplomatic relationship between Poland and Russia remain to be seen, but it is likely to further strain relations between the two countries.
