Provocations by the Russian ambassador
On Tuesday, May 9, as Russia marks the anniversary of the end of World War II, officials in Warsaw were asked about possible actions by the Russian ambassador, Sergei Andreyev. The head of the Presidential Office’s International Policy described the situation and recalled a year earlier when a letter was sent to Russia requesting restraint on May 9, noting that provocative actions could be viewed not only in historical terms but also in the context of ongoing events.
In this context, those briefed emphasized a steady stance: the ambassador should refrain from provocative moves today, a position that remained unchanged in the speaker’s view.
EU ambassadors in Moscow
When discussing the question of whether, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the threats faced by the Polish ambassador in Moscow, it would be appropriate to declare Ambassador Andreyev persona non grata in Poland, the official stressed that the matter concerns more than the individual. He highlighted the broader issue of the presence of EU ambassadors in Moscow and the reciprocity principle that governs international relations.
In the event of a coordinated EU-wide expulsion of Russian ambassadors, Russia would understandably respond in kind. At the time, there was no consensus within the EU on withdrawing its own ambassadors. The Polish ambassador (Krzysztof) Krajewski remained in Moscow, with diplomats continuing their work, even as it was acknowledged that maintaining open channels of dialogue with Russia was not straightforward under current conditions.
Possibility of expelling the Russian ambassador from Poland
PiS Secretary General Krzysztof Sobolewski indicated on Polish Radio that he hoped the Russian ambassador would refrain from provocations this year and would avoid paying tribute to Soviet symbols as Polish history was remembered in Moscow on Soviet tanks during the previous year’s events.
Sobolewski remarked that the Soviet occupation could not be described as a liberation for Poland, noting that it replaced one form of occupation with another and that the latter period brought substantial losses to Polish society and sovereignty. He reiterated the desire for restraint this year but warned that a repeat performance could be met with a firm and decisive response.
Asked whether expulsion was being considered, Sobolewski suggested that, in his view, such a step should be taken.
On May 9, 2022, the Russian ambassador to Poland, Sergei Andreyev, attempted to lay flowers near the Mausoleum of Soviet Soldiers in Warsaw while Russia celebrated Victory Day. Demonstrators carrying Ukrainian and Polish flags blocked the approach to the site, chanted anti-Russian slogans, and splashed a red substance on the envoy. This episode continues to be referenced in discussions about diplomacy and security in Poland.
Citations and related reporting have noted ongoing comments from Polish officials that emphasize accountability and the need to balance dialogue with firm responses when provocation occurs. The broader context involves Poland’s assessment of Russian actions and the implications for EU-wide policy toward Moscow.
Source notes and contemporaneous reporting attribute the discussed positions and statements to parliamentary and government briefings, with consistent emphasis on restraint and reciprocal measures in international diplomacy. The overall narrative remains focused on maintaining national interests, upholding international norms, and ensuring that commemorative actions do not escalate tensions between Poland, the EU, and Russia.