Overview

• Russia’s foreign ministry said Poland must suspend operations at its Kaliningrad general consulate by August 29.
• The order directly responds to Poland’s June 30 decision to close Russia’s general consulate in Krakow.
• Polish officials claim Russia’s intelligence services orchestrated the May 12, 2024, Marywilska 44 shopping center fire that destroyed about 1,400 businesses without causing injuries.
• Moscow accused Warsaw of inventing a pretext of “hostile actions” to curb Russian diplomatic activities.
• The latest closure continues a pattern of tit-for-tat expulsions illustrating the deepening hybrid warfare standoff between Poland and Russia.