Poland restricts movement of Russian diplomats amid hybrid war concerns

Poland will impose restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats within the country, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced on Monday.

Poland's top diplomat Radosław Sikorski.

Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

"I have just announced the Polish decision in connection with the participation of the Russian state in the hybrid war against the EU, including Poland," Sikorski told reporters after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

"These will be restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats in our country," he added.

💬 Polska podjęła decyzję, w związku z udziałem Rosji w wojnie hybrydowej przeciwko UE, dotyczącą restrykcji na poruszanie się dyplomatów rosyjskich po naszym kraju - chodzi tutaj o ambasadę, jak i personel konsularny Federacji Rosyjskiej w Polsce.

| Min. @sikorskiradek pic.twitter.com/sfhgZBy4Mz

— Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych RP 🇵🇱 (@MSZ_RP) May 27, 2024

Sikorski stated that Poland has evidence that Russia is "authorizing diversion in Europe."

💬 Some defend the principle of unanimity like independence. However, we see that as far as sanctions are concerned, it prevents the realisation of 🇵🇱 national interest, which is to make Russia suffer the consequences of its war of aggression.

| FM @sikorskiradek in Brussels pic.twitter.com/Snt57lQ4f1

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇵🇱 (@PolandMFA) May 27, 2024

The Russian embassy in Poland will soon receive an official note regarding these new restrictions, Sikorski also said.

Szef MSZ ogłasza restrykcje wobec rosyjskich dyplomatów. Będzie nota dyplomatyczna#PAPInformacjehttps://t.co/iMN2LshZJ7

— PAP (@PAPinformacje) May 27, 2024

The limitations will apply to embassy and consular staff, but not to the ambassador, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

💬 In connection with Russia's involvement in the hybrid war against the EU, Poland has decided on introducing restrictions of movement of Russian diplomats in our country: this refers both to the embassy and consular staff of Russia in 🇵🇱.

| FM @sikorskiradek pic.twitter.com/JCFCwPfPds

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇵🇱 (@PolandMFA) May 27, 2024

(jh/gs)

Source: IAR