The Polish consulate in St. Petersburg officially ceased operations after 52 years, marking a significant moment in Polish-Russian relations. This closure comes as a retaliatory measure by Russia, following Poland’s decision to shut down the Russian consulate in Poznań due to allegations of sabotage linked to Moscow. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret but emphasized the necessity of the original decision.
Diplomatic Fallout Between Poland and Russia
The Polish consulate’s closure was announced shortly after Russia declared three Polish diplomats in St. Petersburg as persona non grata. Moscow labeled Poland’s actions “hostile” and vowed firm retaliation against any unfriendly measures. However, Polish officials, including Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, cited acts of sabotage on Polish soil as justification for closing the Russian consulate in Poznań, underscoring the aggressive nature of Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics.
During the closure ceremony, Polish Ambassador Krzysztof Krajewski acknowledged the consulate’s decades of service and expressed hope for its reopening in better times. Gratitude was extended to Polish diplomats who navigated challenging conditions, particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.