Poland called the Russian ambassador and said it will close the Russian consulate in Krakow after evidence show that Moscow was responsible for a large fire that almost completely destroyed a Warsaw Shopping in 2024.
Relations already tense between Warsaw and Moscow have reached new levels since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022.
Poland states that its own role as Kiev’s aid center has become the target of sabotage, cyber attacks and Russian misinformation – allegations that Moscow denies.
“The ambassador was invited to the ministry at 15h (local time),” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski, on Monday (12).
On Sunday (11), Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Poland knew “certainly” that Russian secret services were behind the huge fire on Marywilska Street in the capital.
“Due to the evidence that Russian secret services committed a reprehensible sabotage act against the mall on Marywilska Street, I decided to revoke my consent to the functioning of the Russian Federation Consulate in Krakow,” wrote Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, X.
W Związku Z Dowodami, żE TO ROSYJSKIE SłBY SPECJALNE DOKONAłY KARYGAGENGO AKTU DYWERSJI WOBEC CENTRUM HANDLOWEGO PRZY MARYWILSKIE, PODJąEM DECYZJę The Wycofaniu Zody in Działanie Konsulatu Federacji Rosyjskiej W Krakowie.
– Radosław Sikorski
(@sikorskiradek) May 12, 2025
Sikorski told reporters at a meeting of Foreign Ministers in London that Poland will take new measures if attacks such as the shopping mall continues.
Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Russia would have about 30 days to close the Krakow Consulate, which employs three diplomats and four other employees.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Poland was purposely cutting ties with Moscow, state news agency said.
“Warsaw continues to deliberately destroy relationships, acting against the interests of its citizens,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova, according to state news agency. She added that Russia would soon give a “proper answer.”
In October, Poland announced the closure of the Russian consulate in Poznan due to suspicions of russian sabotage attempts.
Russia also closed the Polish consulate in St. Petersburg in response.
In addition to Krakow and Poznan, Russia has a consulate in Gdansk and its embassy in Warsaw.
In March, Lithuanian prosecutors accused the Russian military intelligence of orchestrating an incendiary attack on an Ikea store in Vilnius three days before the fire in a neighboring Poland mall.
Russia denied involvement in the incendiary attacks.
This content was originally published in Poland says it will close Russian consulate in Krakow by attack by 2024 on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
