Moscow has no reason to retaliate – Polish Foreign Minister on closure of Russian consulate in Poznań

Russia has no reason to react to the Polish authorities' decision to close the Russian consulate in Poznań, says Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.

As reported by PAP, Sikorski explained that he decided to close the Russian consulate after consultations with the government.

"The decision was mine, but it was agreed with the committee of the Council of Ministers on security, and discussed at the Council of Ministers. In practice, this means that there will be no Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Poznań, and diplomats must leave," he said.

Asked if Poland could face retaliatory measures from Russia, the minister replied: "Yes, probably, yes."

At the same time, he added that the Russian side has no grounds for retaliatory measures.

"Because we do not conduct sabotage activities in Russia, but knowing the other side [Russia  – ed.] – they probably do," Sikorski said.

Earlier, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the closure of one of Russia’s three consulates in Poland – in Poznań – in response to Russian acts of sabotage.

Commenting on this decision, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow would respond to this step.