 "Russian President Vladimir Putin. Reuters File")
Russia on Thursday said it would close Poland’s consulate general in St. Petersburg in retaliation for Poland’s decision to shut down the Russian consulate in Poznan.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also declared three Polish diplomatic staff members “personae non gratae” and ordered them to leave Russia by a specified date.
“It was emphasised to the Polish side that Moscow has taken and will continue to take tough retaliatory measures against any unfriendly steps towards Russia,” Reuters quoted the statement as saying.
Poland’s foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski told Reuters Russia had no right to react in such a way, as Poland’s decision to close the consulate in Poznan was a reaction to Russia’s sabotage and arson in Poland.
“And we do not conduct arson or sabotage in Russia. However, everyone knows what Russia is like, so this is not an unexpected action,” Sikorski was quoted as saying.
With inputs from agencies