Poland advises citizens to leave Russia

Moscow has designated Poland a “hostile” state in response to economic sanctions and support for Ukraine

Poland’s Foreign Ministry has issued an advisory strongly recommending that all Polish nationals residing in Russia leave the country if possible. The warning comes as ties between Moscow and Warsaw have sunk to historic lows amid the Ukraine conflict and tit-for-tat diplomatic restrictions.

According to the statement published on the government website, which drew attention from the Russian and Polish media this week, the ministry cautions against all travel to Russia, citing the Ukraine conflict and Russia’s official designation of Poland as a “hostile state.”

Russia officially included Poland – which has joined Western sanctions and has been one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters – on its list of “unfriendly states” in 2022. The designation allows the Russian authorities to impose restrictions on diplomatic missions and often entails limitations on trade and monetary transactions.

Consequently, “Polish citizens residing in Russia [are recommended to] leave its territory by available commercial and private means, unless their personal, family, or professional circumstances require them to remain in the country,” the ministry said.

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Polish officials also warned of potential problems with direct consular assistance to Polish citizens due to the closing of diplomatic missions, which may require visitors “to travel to very distant consular offices.”

The advisory highlights several obstacles facing Polish nationals in Russia, including the suspension of direct flights between the two countries, restricted travel options, and difficulties accessing funds via Polish bank cards.

It also claims that Polish nationals may face “arbitrary detention” while in Russia. Over the past several years, there have been no high-profile cases of a Polish national being detained in the country.

Diplomatic tensions between the two countries have risen since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. In May, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski announced the closure of the Russian consulate in Krakow, accusing Moscow of involvement in a 2024 fire at a shopping mall in Warsaw – an accusation Russia has denied.

In response, Russia earlier this month ordered the closure of Poland’s consulate in Kaliningrad, effective from the end of August, citing “hostile actions” by Warsaw.