Russia had ordered the closure of Polands consulate in the western city of Kaliningrad in retaliation for what it called the unjustified and hostile shutdown of its own consulate in the Polish city of Krakow.The Foreign Ministry said Friday it had summoned Polands charge daffaires to notify him that Moscow will revoke its consent for the Polish Consulate General in Kaliningrad to operate, effective Aug.
29.Russias consulate in Krakow ceased operations on June 30, according to the ministry.Polish authorities announced in May that the decision to close the Russian consulate was made in light of evidence suggesting Russias security services may have been involved in a May 2024 shopping mall fire.Russian diplomacy consistently proceeds from the principle that no unfriendly act against our country will go unanswered or without consequences, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.Polands Foreign Ministry later said it wouldrespond appropriately to the closure of its consulate in Kaliningrad, claiming Moscows decision would impact Russian citizens first and foremost.From what I know, there havent been many tourists going to Kaliningrad, and we dont have significant business interests there, Foreign Ministry spokesmanPawe Wroski told reporters.So if this decision affects anyone, it will mostly be Russians who were hoping to apply for Polish visas somewhere closer.Tensions between Russia and Poland have worsened since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Both countries have since expelled dozens of diplomats and shut down consulates, including those in Poznan and St.
Petersburg, in tit-for-tat moves.Poland has also been a key transit hub for Western military aid to Ukraine.
In 2023, Warsaw imposed restrictions on Russian diplomats over accusations that Moscow is waging a hybrid war against the country.