The Russian Foreign Ministry lodged a formal protest with Polish authorities after Polish security forces seized the school building housed at the Russian Embassy in Poland on April 29. The protest, communicated through the ministry’s press service and its official telegraph channel, underscored the seriousness with which Moscow views the incident.
According to the published report, Poland’s chargé d’affaires in Moscow, Jacek Shlyadevsky, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry to receive the protest and to receive explanations regarding the action. This move signaled an escalation in diplomatic exchanges and highlighted the expectant demand for clarifications about the legal basis for the seizure and the future status of the school facility.
The Russian Foreign Ministry described the action as a blatant breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations from 1961. The ministry emphasized that the seizure directly targets children attending the educational institution and leaves the school building exposed in the street, an outcome that appears to reflect a cynical approach to international law and to the protection of diplomatic premises.
During the discussions, Moscow asserted that the move marks a new link in what it described as Warsaw’s ongoing policy characterized by a lack of morality and a disregard for legal norms. The ministry stated that the Polish authorities are harming bilateral relations and undermining the basis of mutual trust between the two states. The situation was framed as an intentional act aimed at damaging Russia and complicating diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Earlier, the Russian Embassy in Poland delivered a formal note of protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the confiscation of the school building, a document that reportedly outlined the legal and humanitarian implications of the action for the students and staff who rely on the facility for education and daily activities.
In a public briefing, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary to the President of Russia, spoke on the broader context of the incident. He argued that Russophobia was influencing Polish authorities and clouding their judgment in matters connected with Russia. The remarks linked the event to broader political dynamics and suggested that the incident reflects a pattern of behavior that complicates cooperation and trust between the two countries.
The two ministries remain engaged in ongoing exchanges as each side seeks to clarify the legal grounds for the seizure, the intended use of the seized property, and steps to ensure the safety and education of all children affected. Analysts note that how this dispute is resolved could have lasting implications for diplomatic practice, minority protections, and the functioning of diplomatic missions in Poland and in Russia. The international community watches closely as both sides navigate the complexities of formal protest, lawful action, and the preservation of young learners in sensitive political environments. In such moments, adherence to international norms and the protection of civil institutions inside diplomatic footprints are viewed as pivotal to maintaining trust beyond the immediate quarrel. [Source: Russian Foreign Ministry; official statements cited for context and attribution]