Poland to expel more Russian diplomats as consulate in Poznan closes

The Polish authorities have ordered three more Russian diplomats to leave the country after the closure of the Consulate General in Poznan, according to Russian Ambassador in Warsaw Sergey Andreev.

“The same deadline has been given for the departure of three diplomatic staff of our general consulate,” he said, noting that the ultimatum in the Polish Foreign Ministry's note did not affect technical staff, who will formally have the right to stay and work in Poland, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Earlier, Andreev said that the Russian Consulate General in Poznan will close by midnight on 30 November. The staff of the diplomatic mission will be expelled from the country and recognised as undesirable on the territory of the country. A total of 10 employees were declared persona non-grata.

Poland linked its decision to Russia allegedly conducting a form of hybrid warfare against Poland.

On October 22, the Polish Foreign Ministry said, “Cyberattacks are being carried out, and Poland’s eastern border, which is also the border of the Schengen area, is being attacked.”

“Minister Radosław Sikorski demands that the Russian authorities cease this type of activity against Poland and our allies. If such actions are repeated, Poland reserves the right to take further decisive action,” the ministry further added. 

Reacting to the Polish authorities' decision, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that Warsaw would face a painful response. She called the actions of the European country's leadership hostile. Zakharova also said that Russia would work out a response to Poland's decision to close the consulate general in Poznan. The diplomat promised that the relevant measures would be taken within a fairly short period of time.

By Khagan Isayev