On May 12, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated that Poland will close the Russian consulate in Krakow. The reason behind this decision is Poland's claim that Russia is linked to an arson incident in May 2024. Sikorski posted on social media that Polish authorities have found evidence of "deliberate sabotage" by Russian intelligence agents at the Marywilska Street shopping center in Warsaw. He wrote, "I have decided to withdraw consent for the operation of the Russian consulate in Krakow."
Later that day, Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski confirmed that the Polish Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador to Poland Sergei Andreev in the afternoon to inform him of the decision to close the consulate in Krakow.
However, Russia immediately refuted Poland's allegation. On the same day, the Russian side said that Poland's claim was baseless. Russia believes that Poland has been continuously undermining bilateral relations, and it will take reciprocal measures in response. This new diplomatic row between the two countries further strains their already tense relationship.
