Peskov called Poland's accusations about the fire in the shopping center part of the Russophobic position.

Poland's accusations against Russia regarding the arson of a shopping center in Warsaw are groundless and part of a Russophobic position. This was announced on May 12 by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

"There are a lot of different accusations against Russia being voiced in Poland, and this is part of an absolutely Russophobic and unfriendly position towards our country, especially since all these accusations are always completely baseless and groundless," Peskov said at a briefing.

This is how he reacted to reports that the authorities in Poland accused the Russian special services of setting fire to the Marywilska 44 indoor market in Warsaw, which burned down in May 2024.

The press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation also noted that the reduction of Russia's diplomatic presence in Poland is "an integral part of this common chain" to curtail bilateral relations.

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Earlier in the day, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski announced that the country had decided to close the Russian Consulate General in Krakow. Sikorsky clarified that the closure was due to alleged acts of sabotage.

On the same day, the country's Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Henryka Mostsiskaj-Dendys announced that Poland had recognized Russian diplomats from the Consulate General in Krakow as persona non grata.