The Greater Poland Voivodeship Office will take over the building of the former Russian consulate in Poznań. Its purpose is to handle civil matters, including those of foreigners, most of whom are citizens of Ukraine.
After the Russians moved out of the building at ul. Bukowska 53A in Poznań, there was a possibility that it would still serve as a consulate, but Ukraine.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs announced this possibility on November 16 during a meeting with the residents of Rokietnica (Greater Poland Voivodeship). Radosław Sikorski. He then said that if Ukraine submits an application to use real estate in Poznań vacated by… Russia and opening its own consular office in this city, the government will approach such a request “with the utmost sympathy.”
They expressed interest, but that was it
Three days later, the Embassy of Ukraine sent a note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressing its interest in the building. As it turned out, that was all she did.
“Due to the fact that the Ukrainian side currently does not have a professional consular office in Poznań for the needs of which the property could be made available, Ukraine would first have to apply for consent to establish it – however, such an application has not been submitted,” the Information Department informed TVN24 Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Therefore, it was decided to hand over the building to the Wielkopolska Voivodeship Office. The Ukrainian side has already been informed about the decision.
The building will be donated “to implement the statutory objectives of WUW”. It will be used to handle civil matters, including those of foreigners, of whom – as the ministry emphasizes – the overwhelming majority are Ukrainian citizens.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures that if the Ukrainian side wants to establish a consulate in Poznań, “this application will be immediately and sympathetically considered.” The Embassy of Ukraine can also count on support in searching for another property that could be used as the office's headquarters. “However, no such application has been received to date,” said the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The consulate has operated here since 1960.
Russians have occupied the villa at 53A Bukowska Street since 1960. First, the consulate of the Soviet Union was located here, then of Russia. The average Kowalski was not allowed here. The building was guarded.
On October 22, the decision to liquidate the consulate was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski.
He argued that Russia was waging war against Ukraine and a hybrid war against the West, including Poland. He added that as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he has information that Russia is behind the sabotage attempts in Poland and allied countries.
The Russians had until November 30 to leave the property. They had given her away a few days earlier.
Main photo source: TVN24