Russia’s ambassador to Warsaw, Georgiy Mikhno, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry over Poland’s accusation of “state terrorism.” Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski announced the decision at a joint press conference held in the German city of Weimar.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also attended the meeting held in the Weimar Triangle format. Sikorski said the accusation leveled by Poland against Russia was condemned during the talks.
Warsaw’s accusations against Russia
Sikorski argued that Russia remains one of the most serious threats to the security of the world order. He claimed that Moscow was trying to shape international relations through a concept of dominance rather than cooperation.
Sikorski said Poland would not allow its borders to be tested with impunity and would not tolerate hostile actions on its territory. He said arson, attacks targeting railways, murders and other provocations would not be accepted.
Call for EU diplomatic and visa restrictions
Sikorski called on European Union countries to allow Russian diplomats to travel only in the countries where they are accredited. He also called for making it more difficult for Russian citizens to obtain Schengen visas and for requiring biometric passports to enter the EU.
The Polish foreign minister also called for limits on the number of Russian diplomats serving in EU countries. Sikorski said more than 2,000 Russian diplomats were present in EU countries and claimed that at least 40 percent of them were carrying out duties incompatible with their diplomatic status.
Sikorski alleged that these individuals were working on behalf of Russian intelligence services and that those services were linked to terrorist activities in European countries.
Drone incident at Leipzig-Halle Airport
The meeting also addressed the drone incident at Leipzig-Halle Airport in Germany. On August 4, a drone believed to be carrying an explosive device was found near a Ukrainian transport aircraft.
U.S. intelligence claimed that the drone’s characteristics resembled those of vehicles belonging to Russian military intelligence. Germany held Russia responsible for the incident and announced a series of measures, including the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn from September 18.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded after Germany decided to terminate the agreement linked to the activities of the Russian House in Berlin. Lavrov said branches of the Goethe-Institut in Russia would be closed.
