On 11/7, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Poland's charge d'affaires to deliver a note announcing the closure of Poland’s consulate general in Kaliningrad, effective 29/8. This action mirrors Warsaw's earlier closure of the Russian consulate general in Krakow.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Poland of an "unfriendly and baseless act, reducing Russia's consular presence under a fabricated pretext".
"Russia's foreign policy operates on the principle that no unfriendly actions against our country will go unanswered, without proportionate responses and consequences," the ministry stated.
In response to Russia's announcement, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would "retaliate accordingly".
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The Polish consulate general in Kaliningrad in a photo posted in 2021. Photo: Polish Government |
The Polish consulate general in Kaliningrad in a photo posted in 2021. Photo: Polish Government
Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave situated between the NATO members Lithuania and Poland, bordering the Baltic Sea.
Relations between Warsaw and Moscow have long been strained, deteriorating further after Russia launched its campaign in Ukraine in early 2022. Poland subsequently provided substantial financial and military support to Ukraine.
Rzeszow Airport in Poland serves as the primary hub for Western arms shipments to Ukraine. The Polish Ministry of Defense estimates that 90-95% of military equipment from the US and its allies has been delivered to Ukraine through this location.
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Location of Kaliningrad. Graphic: BBC |
Location of Kaliningrad. Graphic: BBC
In 5/2024, Poland imposed travel restrictions on Russian diplomats within its territory, in response to what it termed Moscow's "hybrid warfare." Hybrid warfare refers to a type of conflict that combines various methods, from political and military actions to cyberattacks.
Poland then closed the Russian consulate in Poznan and warned of further closures if "terrorist" acts continued. In January, Russia responded by closing Poland's consulate in Saint Petersburg.
In May, Poland ordered the closure of Russia's consulate general in Krakow, after officials accused Moscow of being behind a fire that destroyed a shopping center in Warsaw the previous year.
Pham Giang (TASS, AFP)
