Russia to close Poland’s Consulate General in St. Petersburg

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia said on Thursday that it will close Poland’s consulate general in St. Petersburg as a response to Warsaw’s decision to close Moscow’s in the city of Poznan in October.

A statement by the Foreign Ministry said it sent a note to the Polish side regarding the move, based on which Moscow will “withdraw its consent” to the functioning of the consulate as of Jan. 10, 2025.

The statement said “guided by the principle of reciprocity,” three diplomatic employees of the Polish consulate were also declared "persona non grata" and must leave Russia before the mentioned date.

It accused Polish authorities of following an “openly hostile policy” towards Russia in recent years, adding that one of the manifestations of this approach was the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Poznan.

“The Polish side was informed that Moscow has taken and will continue to take tough countermeasures to any unfriendly steps towards Russia,” it added.

On Oct. 22, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski announced that Warsaw decided to close the Russian Consulate in Poznan and expel diplomats for alleged sabotage attempts.