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Polish Diplomat Confronted by Protesters in St. Petersburg, Sparks Diplomatic Row
St. Petersburg, Russia – Poland’s ambassador to Russia was surrounded and subjected to harassment, including attempted physical aggression, by a group of protesters in St.Petersburg on Tuesday, prompting a strong condemnation from Warsaw and a diplomatic protest lodged with Russian authorities.The incident occurred as the ambassador was laying flowers at a memorial for the victims of the Warsaw Uprising.
The confrontation underscores escalating tensions between Poland and Russia, already strained by the ongoing war in Ukraine and recent accusations of sabotage against Poland’s railway network. The attack on the diplomat has prompted Polish officials to reassess alliances and consider further reductions in Russian diplomatic presence within Poland.
According to Ministry spokesperson, Maciej Wewiór, approximately ten individuals attempted to escalate the situation from verbal harassment to physical aggression before being intervened by Polish security officers. “We expressed our outrage during a meeting with Russia’s chargé d’affaires,” Wewiór told Wyborcza. “We where told such situations ‘should not happen.'”
Russian state and local media presented a contrasting account,alleging that Polish security personnel acted aggressively toward “peaceful activists” and “concerned citizens.” though,video footage broadcast by Channel 78 depicts security personnel blocking several individuals as thay surged toward the ambassador,shouting slogans including “Your money kills children.”
earlier, foreign Minister radosław Sikorski stated that the attack on Poland’s railway network necessitates a review of Poland’s allies and adversaries. He also confirmed having previously warned Russia that continued unfriendly actions against Poland would result in further reductions of Russia’s diplomatic and consular presence in Poland.
