Poland to close Russian consulate in Kraków over Moscow's alleged involvement in shopping mall arson attack

Poland has decided to close the Russian consulate in Kraków, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced on Monday.

“In light of evidence that Russian intelligence services carried out a despicable act of sabotage targeting the Marywilska shopping center [in Warsaw], I have decided to withdraw my consent for the operation of the Russian consulate in Kraków,” the statement said.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had previously accused Russian intelligence of setting fire to Warsaw’s Marywilska 44 shopping center in May 2024.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry responded by vowing an “appropriate response” to the consulate’s closure.

“Warsaw continues to deliberately destroy bilateral relations, acting against the interests of its own citizens. An appropriate response to these reckless actions will follow soon,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, as quoted by RBC.