Poland’s lawmakers have adopted a resolution calling for the Russian Embassy in Warsaw to be relocated further away from the Polish Defense Ministry.
The decision, supported by 439 MPs, is framed as a security initiative to protect the area around the Ministry of National Defense. The resolution, while not legally binding, carries symbolic weight and marks a significant shift in Poland’s approach to Russian diplomatic presence. It is part of a broader pattern of diplomatic distancing, with Poland having already closed several Russian consulates in recent months.
The Russian Embassy in Warsaw is located right next to the Polish Defense Ministry and near the presidential Belweder Palace and the prime minister’s office. This proximity has raised concerns about potential security threats, especially in the context of heightened tensions between the two nations. The resolution seeks to mitigate these risks by relocating the diplomatic mission farther from sensitive locations.
In addition to the embassy relocation, Poland has also announced the closure of its last remaining Russian consulate in Gdansk. Russian Foreign Minister Maria Zakharova has responded by stating Moscow will reduce Poland’s diplomatic presence in Russia, indicating a potential escalation in bilateral tensions. The exchange of closures has been a recurring theme since May, when Poland closed the Russian consulate in Krakow, citing Moscow’s alleged involvement in a fire at a Warsaw mall. Russia retaliated by shutting down the Polish consulate in Kaliningrad in July.
The diplomatic standoff comes amid recent railway sabotage incidents targeting lines used to transport Western military aid to Ukraine through Poland. Local authorities have identified two Ukrainians as suspects, who allegedly worked for Russian intelligence and fled to Belarus after the attacks. The Kremlin has denied any involvement, maintaining that the incidents are unrelated to Moscow. These events have further strained relations, prompting Poland’s assertive stance in relocating the Russian Embassy and closing consulates as part of its security strategy.