Diplomatic relations between Russia and Poland, strained for years, have taken another hit.
Decisions to close consulates and expel diplomats are becoming the latest tools in an escalating political standoff.
These moves are not just symbolic — they reflect a growing divide that shows little sign of easing.
This week, Russia announced it would close Poland’s consulate in St. Petersburg and expel three Polish diplomats, according to Digi24.
The decision came in response to Warsaw’s closure of the Russian consulate in Poznań on November 30.
Moscow delivered the message through a formal diplomatic note, stating that permission for Poland’s St. Petersburg consulate to operate would be revoked as of January 10, 2024.
Persona Non Grata
The Russian Foreign Ministry declared the three diplomats persona non grata, giving them until the same date to leave the country.
In its statement, the ministry accused Poland of adopting an openly hostile stance toward Russia. It claimed that Warsaw had "destroyed nearly all the relations built over decades" between the two nations.
The Russian government also framed Poland’s closure of the Poznań consulate as another step in what it called an "anti-Russian policy."
Moscow warned that it would respond firmly to any further "unfriendly actions."
Tensions between Russia and Poland have been running high, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Poland, a key NATO member and a strong supporter of Ukraine, has been outspoken in its criticism of Moscow. It has also provided extensive military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, further angering the Kremlin.
This latest diplomatic clash is part of a broader pattern of deteriorating relations. Both sides have increasingly relied on tit-for-tat measures, with consulate closures and expulsions becoming common.
While such actions may seem routine, they erode what little diplomatic channels remain between Russia and its European neighbors.
