Poland to close Russian consulate in Krakow, citing arson attack
Already tense relations between Warsaw and Moscow have hit new lows since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Poland says its own role as a hub for aid for Kyiv has made it a target of Russian sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation - allegations that Moscow denies.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland knew 'for sure' that Russian secret services were behind the huge fire on Marywilska Street in the capital.
'Due to evidence that the Russian special services committed a reprehensible act of sabotage against the shopping center on Marywilska Street, I have decided to withdraw my consent to the operation of the Consulate of the Russian Federation in Krakow,' Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski wrote on X.
The Russian foreign ministry said Poland was cutting its ties with Moscow on purpose, state news agency RIA reported.
'Warsaw continues to deliberately destroy relations, acting against the interests of its citizens,' state news agency RIA quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying. She added that Russia would soon deliver an 'adequate response.'
In October, Poland announced it would shut down the Russian consulate in Poznan due to suspected Russian attempts at sabotage. Russia 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 Russia's military intelligence of orchestrating an arson attack on an IKEA store in Vilnius, which broke out three days before the shopping center fire in neighboring Poland.
Russia has denied involvement in the arson attacks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Polish President Nawrocki to meet Trump in early September
WARSAW:US President Donald Trump has invited new Polish President Karol Nawrocki to Washington at the beginning of September, the chief of Nawrocki's cabinet said on Saturday. Nawrocki, sworn in as Polish president on Wednesday, has on many occasions emphasized the importance of good Polish-US relations. The new president, whose campaign was backed by Poland's main nationalist opposition party Law and Justice, met Trump in the Oval Office shortly before the Polish election in May and got the US leader's support for his candidacy. 'In an official congratulatory letter delivered on the inauguration day, US President Donald Trump invited Polish President Karol Nawrocki to the White House for an official working meeting on September 3, 2025,' Pawel Szefernaker wrote on X.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Arab News
Trump-backed Nawrocki assumes the Polish presidency and could steer a more nationalist course
WARSAW: Conservative Karol Nawrocki will take office Wednesday as Poland 's new president, which could set the country on a more nationalist course — and cast doubt on the viability of the centrist government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Most day-to-day power in Poland rests with the prime minister, chosen by the parliament. However, the president holds the power to influence foreign policy and veto laws. Nawrocki, who was supported by US President Donald Trump ahead of a narrow victory in a runoff election in June, is a 42-year-old historian who had no political experience prior to campaigning. He was not even a political party member until being approached by the conservative Law and Justice party that governed Poland from 2015 to 2023. Nawrocki's supporters describe him as the embodiment of traditional, patriotic values. Many of them oppose abortion and LGBTQ+ visibility and say Nawrocki reflects the values they grew up with. The American conservative group CPAC held its first meeting in Poland during the campaign to give him a boost. Kristi Noem, the US Homeland Security secretary and a Trump ally, praised Nawrocki and urged Poles to vote for him. His campaign echoed themes popular on the US right. A common refrain from his supporters is that Nawrocki will restore 'normality,' as they believe Trump has done. US flags appeared at his rallies. Nawrocki's quick political rise has not been without controversy, with reports linking him to underworld figures whom he met while boxing or working as a hotel security guard in the past. Nawrocki has also been linked to a scandal involving the acquisition of a Gdansk apartment from a retiree. Allegations suggest Nawrocki promised to care for the man in return but failed to fulfill the commitment, leading the man to end up in a publicly funded retirement home. Nawrocki's shifting explanations raised questions about his transparency and credibility. After the scandal erupted, he donated the apartment to a charity.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Arab News
Russia protests to Israel over alleged attack on diplomatic vehicle
MOSCOW: Russia lodged a formal protest to Israel following an alleged attack on a Russian diplomatic vehicle near the settlement of Givat Assaf near Jerusalem, according to a statement issued by the Russian foreign ministry. 'On July 30, a vehicle of the Russian Federation's mission to the Palestinian National Authority, bearing diplomatic license plates and carrying personnel of the Russian diplomatic mission accredited by Israel's Foreign Ministry, was attacked near the illegal Israeli settlement of Givat Assaf, near Jerusalem, by a group of settlers,' Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement. The incident occurred 'with the acquiescence of Israeli military personnel, who were present at the scene and did not attempt to stop the attackers' aggressive actions,' she added. Reuters was not able to independently verify the Russian foreign ministry's report. Zakharova said the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv had submitted an official demarche to Israeli authorities.
