Russia announces reduction of Poland’s diplomatic, consular presence

Russia has announced that it will scale back Poland’s diplomatic and consular presence in response to the recent closure of its consulate general in Gdańsk.

The decision was confirmed by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who described the move as a “reciprocal measure,”Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Zakharova emphasized that the reduction in Polish diplomatic representation in Russia mirrors the actions taken against Russian consular operations in Poland. She stated, “As a reciprocal measure, the Russian side will reduce Poland’s diplomatic and consular presence in Russia.”

On November 19, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced the closure of the last remaining Russian consulate general in Poland, located in Gdańsk.

Earlier, on June 27, the Russian consulate general in Kraków—operational for eight decades—was shuttered, leaving Gdańsk as Russia’s sole consular presence in the country. That, too, is now slated for closure.

In response, on July 11, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Poland’s chargé d’affaires in Moscow, informing him that, following Poland’s withdrawal of consent for the Kraków consulate, Russia would, effective August 29, revoke its consent for the operation of Poland’s consulate general in Kaliningrad. The Ministry underscored that no hostile act against Russia will go unanswered.

The Russian Foreign Ministry had previously indicated the potential freezing of diplomatic relations with Poland.

By Vafa Guliyeva