DISINFO: Poland is looking for a pretext to break diplomatic relations with Russia
SUMMARY
The Polish leadership has been looking for any reason to stop diplomatic relations with Russia – the so-called “Russian diversion” became this pretext. The decision of the Polish Foreign Ministry to close the Russian consulate in Krakow is an attempt to accuse Russia of the diversion. Warsaw needs a pretext to break relations between the two countries.
RESPONSE
Disinformation message denying Russia’s involvement in the arson of a shopping mall in Poland, attributed to the Russian special services. This message includes a traditional pro-Kremlin narrative about an allegedly Russophobic Poland. Pro-Kremlin and other Russian state-controlled outlets regularly accuse Poland of Russophobia and of implementing anti-Russian policies.
On 12 May 2025, the Polish authorities announced the closure of the Russian Consulate in Krakow in response to an arson attack on a large shopping centre in Warsaw in May 2024. According to the words of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, “We already know for sure that the large fire at Marywilska was the result of arson ordered by the Russian security services”.
A similar incident took place in October 2024, when Polish law-enforcers arrested a person recruited by the Russian GRU to realise arson of an industrial enterprise in Wroclaw. In reaction, Poland decided to close down the Russian Consulate in the city of Poznań. In 2024, Polish law enforcers detained nine persons suspected of sabotage plans on behalf of Moscow.
The main reason for the poor state of Polish-Russian relations is the Kremlin’s violation of international law and the most violent actions undermining peace and security in Eastern Europe, not alleged Polish Russophobia.
See other examples of messages accusing Poland of alleged Russophobia here as well as our article All roads lead to Poland.