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May 13th , 2025

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Amos Gati

3 hours ago

POLAND TO CLOSE RUSSIAN CONSULATE IN KRAKOW OVER SHOPPING CENTRE FIRE

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3 hours ago


Poland has said it will close the Russian consulate in Krakow after finding evidence that Moscow was responsible for a huge fire that almost completely destroyed a shopping centre in Warsaw last year.

Russia has accused Poland of "Russophobia" and denied any involvement in the blaze.

Yesterday Donald Tusk, Poland's prime minister, said his country knew "for sure" that Russian secret services were behind the fire.

"Due to evidence that the Russian special services committed a reprehensible act of sabotage against the shopping centre on Marywilska Street, I have decided to withdraw my consent to the operation of the consulate of the Russian Federation in Krakow," Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski wrote on X. 

He told reporters at a meeting of foreign ministers in London that Poland would take further action if attacks continued.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "Many different accusations against Russia are voiced in Poland. 

"This is part of an absolutely Russophobic and unfriendly position towards our country."

He claimed such accusations were "always absolutely groundless".

Russia has shown 'no serious intent' on peace, foreign ministers say in London

As we have been reporting, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been hosting the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain in London today,  along with the EU's foreign affairs chief.

In a joint statement, they welcomed the prospect of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine this week, but also said Moscow has "not shown any serious intent to make progress".

It must "do so without delay", they added.

They are calling for an "immediate, full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create space for talks on a just, comprehensive and lasting peace".

The ministers said they had agreed to help Ukraine strengthen its armed forces, "restock munitions and equipment, and further enhance industrial capacity".

They also said they would explore the "creation of a coalition of air, land and maritime reassurance forces" that could "support the regeneration of Ukraine's armed forces".

Regarding sanctions, they said they would pursue "ambitious measures" to "reduce Russia's ability to wage war by limiting Kremlin revenues, disrupting the shadow fleet, tightening the oil price cap, and reducing our remaining imports of Russian energy".

They added: "We will keep Russian sovereign assets in our jurisdictions immobilised until Russia ceases its aggression and pays for the damage caused."

Russia 'committed' to 'peaceful settlement' but warns against 'ultimatums'

Russia is serious about peace in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

But he also reprimanded European countries for the "language of ultimatums" on further sanctions.

"We are committed to a serious search for ways of a long-term peaceful settlement," he told reporters.

Vladimir Putin has suggested talks in Istanbul on Thursday.

Peskov said many leaders had welcomed the Russian leader's plan.

"This approach, aimed precisely at finding a real diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis, eliminating the root causes of the conflict and establishing lasting peace, has met with understanding and support from the leaders of many countries," he said, citing Donald Trump and Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey.

Before reporters could ask any more questions, Peskov said: "That's all. I've said everything I could about this story."

Germany has said European countries will start preparing new sanctions against Russia unless the Kremlin commits to a 30-day ceasefire by the end of today.

Peskov commented: "The language of ultimatums is unacceptable for Russia, it is not suitable. 

"You can't use such language with Russia."

Putin and Zelenskyy have not met since December 2019.

Zelekskyy has said he will be in Turkey on Thursday and has challenged Putin to meet him face-to-face.

Germany says 'clock ticking' on further sanctions against Russia without ceasefire

European nations will prepare more sanctions against Russia if Moscow does not adhere to a ceasefire in Ukraine by the end of Monday, a German government spokesperson has said.

They said: "The clock is ticking.

"We still have 12 hours until the end of the day, and if the ceasefire is not in place by then, the European side will (set in motion) preparations for sanctions."

Over the weekend, a number of European countries demanded that a 30-day ceasefire begin today.

Russia responded by suggesting talks in Turkey on Thursday.

It also reportedly launched more than 100 drones against Ukrainian targets overnight.

Russian troops have also conducted dozens of assaults on the eastern front line in Ukraine today, according to spokesman Viktor Trehubov.

Earlier, Germany's foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, said Vladimir Putin needed to consider a ceasefire before entering any new peace negotiations in Turkey

 

 




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