Poland has proposed handing over the Russian consulate in Poznań to Ukraine after expelling Russian diplomats from the site. The move comes amidst heightened tensions, with Poland accusing Russia of sabotage and hybrid warfare.
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced on Saturday that Russia’s lease on the property will expire at the end of November. He suggested that Ukraine could use the consulate to meet the growing consular needs of its citizens in Poland.
“We would certainly look with great sympathy at a request from the Ukrainian side,”
Sikorski told journalists.
Growing Ukrainian Presence in Poland
Poland hosts nearly 1 million Ukrainian refugees, alongside hundreds of thousands of economic migrants and students. At the end of last year, Ukrainians accounted for approximately 4.5% of all individuals registered in Poland’s social insurance system.
Sikorski noted that the current network of Ukrainian consulates does not adequately serve this expanding population, further justifying the proposal.
Russian Sabotage Accusations
The closure of the Poznań consulate, which had been operational since 1971, followed a series of alleged Russian sabotage acts in Poland. These incidents included a fire at Warsaw’s largest shopping center and cyberattacks.
Sikorski accused Russia of conducting “hybrid warfare” in Europe, claiming the Kremlin recruits operatives via Telegram to carry out sabotage for payments starting at €2,000.
“We know who is doing this and by what methods. That is why I closed the Russian consulate in Poznań, to send a clear signal: we know what you are doing, stop doing this,”
Sikorski stated.
Political Context
Sikorski’s announcement comes as he campaigns in the Civic Coalition’s presidential primary. He emphasized Poland’s readiness to counter Russian threats, declaring,
“We are ready to face the campaign of sabotage that Russia is conducting against Europe.”
Poland’s decisive action reflects growing frustration with Russia’s alleged activities, while its support for Ukraine further underscores Warsaw’s commitment to aiding its neighbor amid ongoing conflict with Moscow.
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