Russia blocks transfer of consulate building in Gdansk after decision to close it
The city of Gdansk is currently unable to take over the building of the former Russian consulate. The Embassy of Russia informed the local authorities that the administrative and technical staff of the diplomatic mission will remain in the building, which makes the transfer of the object impossible. This is reported by The Public with reference to RMF24.pl.
The decision to close the consulate was made by Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on 19 November in response to Russian subversive actions on the territory of Poland. According to the position of the Polish Foreign Ministry, the consulate is to cease operations by midnight on 23 December 2025, and its staff must leave the country.
The Vice President of Gdansk said that the Russian side insists on maintaining the status of diplomatic real estate and demands guarantees of its inviolability. At the same time, the Polish land registers list the owner of the buildings on Stefan Batorego Street as The State Treasury of Poland.
After 23 December, the building formally loses the protection provided by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. In case Russia refuses to hand over the property, the Polish side is preparing an appeal to the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Poland to file a lawsuit. According to lawyers, the process may take several years.
The Gdańsk authorities also remind about the financial aspect. Russian diplomats have been using the building for free since 1951. After 2013, the city began charging a fee, but the consulate did not pay it. The debt for 2013-2023 is estimated at 5.5 million zlotys, and together with interest, almost 8.5 million. The court has already ordered the Russian side to pay about PLN 400 thousand of the debt.
Photo: RMF24.pl.
