Polish lawmakers have passed a resolution calling for the relocation of the Russian Embassy in Warsaw, citing security concerns as the primary justification. The move aims to isolate the diplomatic mission from the Polish Defense Ministry and other key government buildings, which are located in close proximity. The resolution, adopted by the Sejm with overwhelming support, underscores a growing distrust between the two nations.
Following this decision, Poland announced the closure of the last remaining Russian consulate in Gdansk, marking the final step in the country’s diplomatic response to alleged Russian involvement in security incidents. In response, Russia has vowed to reduce Poland’s diplomatic presence in Russia, signaling a deepening of hostilities. The two countries have been engaged in a tit-for-tat exchange of diplomatic measures since May 2024, with each side accusing the other of espionage and sabotage.
Recent events have further escalated tensions, with two railway sabotage incidents targeting lines used to transport Western military aid to Ukraine. Polish authorities identified two Ukrainians as suspects, accusing them of being linked to Russian intelligence and fleeing to Belarus. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in these attacks, but the incidents have contributed to an increasingly hostile atmosphere between the two nations.
While the relocation of the Russian Embassy is not a legally binding measure, it carries considerable symbolic weight and reflects the deteriorating relations between Poland and Russia. The decision aligns with a broader pattern of political and diplomatic maneuvering that has characterized the bilateral relationship in recent months.