Poland Shuts St. Petersburg Consulate Following Russian Expulsion Order

WARSAW, Poland — Poland has closed its consulate in Saint Petersburg following a Russian order to expel its diplomats, the Polish Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday. The move escalates tensions between the two countries, already strained by Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

The ministry confirmed that Russia had demanded the closure of the consulate and the departure of Polish staff. While the exact reasoning behind the expulsion order remains unclear, it's widely seen as a retaliatory measure following Poland's own expulsion of Russian diplomats earlier this year. Poland, along with other NATO and EU members, has expelled numerous Russian diplomats on accusations of espionage and undermining national security.

“The Russian authorities’ decision is another manifestation of the escalating aggression of the Russian Federation against Poland and other countries supporting Ukraine,” the Polish Foreign Ministry stated in a press release. The statement underscored Poland's unwavering support for Ukraine and condemned Russia's actions.

The closure of the consulate significantly impacts Polish citizens in the northwestern region of Russia, limiting access to consular services such as passport renewals and assistance with emergencies. The Polish government has assured its citizens that it will continue to provide necessary assistance through its embassy in Moscow, although this will likely present logistical challenges.

This latest development further deepens the diplomatic freeze between Poland and Russia. Relations have been severely strained since the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia and have deteriorated drastically following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Poland has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, providing significant military and humanitarian aid, and has become a major transit point for Western military assistance.

Analysts suggest that the expulsion and subsequent consulate closure reflect a broader Kremlin strategy to isolate Poland and limit its influence in the region. The move is likely to be met with condemnation from the European Union, which has consistently denounced Russia's aggression in Ukraine and its increasingly assertive foreign policy. Further retaliatory measures from Poland or other EU nations are also considered a possibility. The situation will be closely monitored for any further escalation.