Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has announced new restrictions for travel of Russian diplomats within the country.
Speaking after a meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels on Monday, Sikorski said that the decision was in response to Russia’s involvement in a hybrid war against the EU, including Poland.
The restrictions will apply to embassy and consular staff, limiting their movement to specific regions. Russian diplomats will be confined to the Mazowieckie province, while consuls will be restricted to the provinces where their consulates are located. However, these limitations will not apply to the Russian ambassador.
Sikorski added that other EU countries have already implemented similar measures.
The decision follows evidence that Moscow has been authorizing acts of sabotage on Polish soil, part of a broader campaign across the EU. Sikorski revealed that a man who had nearly executed a sabotage attack in Poland has been arrested, with additional suspects under investigation.
“We hope that the Russian Federation will treat these restrictions as a very serious warning signal,” Sikorski said.
According to Russian state news agencies, on Monday Russia promised that it will examine Poland's restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats on its territory and take retaliatory action.
Russia will respond in a way that “the Russophobic Polish top brass will be very sorry for,” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
The restrictions will apply to embassy and consular staff, limiting their movement to specific regions. Russian diplomats will be confined to the Mazowieckie province, while consuls will be restricted to the provinces where their consulates are located. However, these limitations will not apply to the Russian ambassador.
Sikorski added that other EU countries have already implemented similar measures.
The decision follows evidence that Moscow has been authorizing acts of sabotage on Polish soil, part of a broader campaign across the EU. Sikorski revealed that a man who had nearly executed a sabotage attack in Poland has been arrested, with additional suspects under investigation.
“We hope that the Russian Federation will treat these restrictions as a very serious warning signal,” Sikorski said.
According to Russian state news agencies, on Monday Russia promised that it will examine Poland's restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats on its territory and take retaliatory action.
Russia will respond in a way that “the Russophobic Polish top brass will be very sorry for,” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Hungary’s stance on Ukraine continues to frustrate
Other matters discussed during the Brussels meeting included Budapest’s continued reluctance to assist Ukraine.
According to Sikorski, Hungary’s decision to block support for Ukraine was the most contentious issue at the foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday.
He highlighted that Hungary is obstructing nearly half of all EU decisions regarding Ukraine, specifically impeding the approval of the eighth package of refunds to member states for their aid to Ukraine. This has caused significant frustration, especially for Poland.
Sikorski said that Poland is entitled to a refund of 450 million euros and that once this money is received, it will be allocated to the Polish Army's modernization fund, enabling the purchase of new equipment.
Other matters discussed during the Brussels meeting included Budapest’s continued reluctance to assist Ukraine.
According to Sikorski, Hungary’s decision to block support for Ukraine was the most contentious issue at the foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday.
He highlighted that Hungary is obstructing nearly half of all EU decisions regarding Ukraine, specifically impeding the approval of the eighth package of refunds to member states for their aid to Ukraine. This has caused significant frustration, especially for Poland.
Sikorski said that Poland is entitled to a refund of 450 million euros and that once this money is received, it will be allocated to the Polish Army's modernization fund, enabling the purchase of new equipment.
Source: TVP World, PAP, Reuters
More In Politics MORE...
