US EditionRussia Refuses to Hand over Consulate Building After Poland Orders It Closed
Poland disputes Russia's ownership claim of former consulate buildings and plans legal enforcement after unpaid rent totals $1.5 million plus interest, officials say.
- On December 22, Gdańsk Vice‑President Emilia Lodzińska said the Russian Embassy told city officials an administrative employee would remain at 13 and 15 Stefana Batorego Street, blocking city takeover.
- Poland ordered the mission closed by midnight on December 23 after Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski withdrew consent on November 19, citing alleged Russian sabotage of railway infrastructure.
- Gdańsk city officials note unpaid charges for 2013–2023 at about 1.5, with an additional 835$ thousand in interest, and a court ordered nearly 111,000$.
- Preparing legal action, Gdańsk authorities may refer the case to the Polish prosecutor general to sue on behalf of the State Treasury, and if Polish courts rule for Poland, enforcement proceedings would follow to seize the buildings.
- In a reciprocal step, Russia announced it would close Poland's consulate in Irkutsk at the end of December, while Polish law prohibits entry into the Gdańsk properties after December 23, pending court rulings.
18 Articles
18 Articles
They think it's theirs.
Russia refuses to hand over consulate building after Poland orders it closed
Keep our news free from ads and paywalls by making a donation to support our work! Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and is published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support. Russia is refusing to hand over the building in Gdańsk that houses its consulate, despite Poland ordering the facility to close in response to the sabotage of a…
Defying Warsaw, Russia Clings to Gdańsk Consulate as Poland Prepares Legal Action
Russia has refused to vacate the former consulate building in Gdańsk despite a formal order from Poland’s Foreign Ministry to close the mission, Polish outlet RMF24 reported on December 22. At a press conference on Monday, Gdańsk Vice-President Emilia Lodzińska said the Russian Embassy informed city authorities that an administrative and technical employee would remain at the buildings at 13 and 15 Stefana Batorego Street, where the Russian cons…
The move of Russians from the consulate in Gdańsk is underway. "The Russian Embassy informed Gdańsk City Hall in a letter that the current Russian consulate will house an administrative and technical employee of the embassy," Gdańsk Vice Mayor Emilia Lodzińska reported. This means the city will not be able to take over the property. "This is our property; this building was transferred to us in the early 1950s," an embassy representative told our…
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