Russian ambassador does what Russia tells him to do says Polish dep FM

Poland’s deputy foreign minister has criticised the Russian ambassador to Poland, claiming that many of his activities are designed to be a “provocation”.

Piotr Wawrzyk addressed the Sejm, the lower house of parliament, just a few days after Sergey Adreyev, the Russian ambassador to Poland, was doused with a red substance by pro-Ukraine protesters during a ceremony on Monday to commemorate Soviet war dead.

Although the Polish foreign ministry has called the incident regrettable, the Polish government has also said that the ambassador had ignored its advice not to attend the ceremony owing to the possibility it would be disrupted.

"Sergey Andreyev is a representative of Russia, he does what Moscow tells him to do and, as a result, most of his actions should be seen as a provocation," Wawrzyk told the Sejm on Thursday.

He admitted that, because of Poland's assistance to Ukraine, this country had become a target of propaganda and disinformation attacks, and added that this situation was unlikely to change.

Wawrzyk said that, despite this, Poland, like other EU and Nato countries, still maintained diplomatic and consular relations with Russia.

"But we have been analysing all possible steps regarding the Russian Embassy in Poland," Wawrzyk said, hinting that the government might sanction the Russian embassy in some form, although he added that any steps taken by Poland could be mirrored by Russia.

In March, Poland expelled 45 Russian diplomats and, a month later, Russia expelled 45 Polish diplomats.

"Far-reaching decisions must be taken in agreement with our allies," Wawrzyk said.

The ambassadors behaviour also came under attack from the opposition.

"We have been dealing with an absolutely extraordinary situation, said Pawel Kowal an MP from Civic Platform, Poland's biggest opposition party. "Instead of serving diplomatic aims, the ambassador of the Russian Federation has for years been 'causing trouble' in Warsaw, accusing Poland of starting World War Two, and denying Russian crimes in Ukraine."

Kowal asked what the government intended to do about Andreyev and added that, in his opinion, he should be finally told that his place was "in Moscow and not in Poland."