Russia and Poland in Monument Dispute
Polish Ambassador to Moscow protests removal of monument to political repression victims
The Polish Ambassador to Moscow, Krzysztof Krajewski, has expressed his concerns after a monument to the Polish victims of political repression in Russia near the city of Irkutsk was removed. The Lithuanian monument located nearby was also taken down. In response, Krajewski announced that the Polish Embassy has given a note to the Russian Foreign Ministry, asking for the reason behind the removal and the location of the two monuments.
The ambassador stated that the monuments were very important places of commemoration to the Polish and Lithuanian community, who collectively suffered under the Soviet Union in the 1930s. Krajewski went on to remind the Russian authorities that the Polish monument was erected in 2015 with the permission of the local authorities and was financed by the Polish community abroad.
He also expressed his concern regarding the recent diplomatic tensions between Russia and Poland. The Warsaw Municipality recently seized a high school building affiliated with the Russian Embassy, while a Russian SU-34 fighter jet approached a Polish Border Protection aircraft patrolling the Black Sea. Notes of protest have been exchanged between both sides.
Krajewski reiterated that the Polish and Lithuanian monuments should not have been taken down and should be returned to their rightful place. The international community will be watching to see how the Russian Foreign Ministry responds to the request from the Polish Embassy.
