Poland orders expulsion of 10 Russian consulate staff as relations fray

Polish authorities have announced the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Poznań, necessitating the departure of ten staff members, including three diplomats, according to Paweł Wroński, spokesperson for the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Wroński specified that the group of ten would comprise three diplomats, five administrative and technical staff members, and two individuals who were slated for accreditation, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

In response, Russia’s ambassador to Poland, Sergey Andreyev, stated that the Russian government had not yet received any official notification regarding the consulate's closure. He noted that tensions remain high and that diplomatic relations between Russia and Poland are continuing to worsen.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski confirmed the decision to shut down the Russian Consulate General in Poznań and expel its personnel.

During a briefing, Sikorski highlighted Poland's commitment to maintaining stable diplomatic relations while prioritizing national security.

Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, vehemently criticized the decision, indicating that Moscow plans to respond accordingly.

At a briefing in Moscow, she described Warsaw's "thoughtless" action as one that would not go unanswered, asserting that it represents a continued manifestation of relentless Russophobia combined with a troubling fixation on espionage. She added that Russia has repeatedly tried to persuade Polish authorities of the futility and destructiveness of such actions.

"We will not hesitate to respond to this new hostile move by the Polish leadership. Warsaw gains nothing from these reckless decisions," she stated.

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, warned that Warsaw's decision could lead to further complications.

Additionally, it was reported earlier that Romania has opted to close its consulate general in Rostov-on-Don, officially informing the Russian side of this decision.

By Tamilla Hasanova