Gdańsk Faces Legal Stalemate Over Former Russian Consulate Building

The attempt by Gdańsk to take over the building of the former Russian consulate has run into an unexpected legal and diplomatic wall. Despite the formal withdrawal of the consulate’s operating licence, the Russian Embassy insists the property will remain occupied, prolonging a dispute rooted in postwar agreements, unpaid fees, and the wider collapse of Polish-Russian relations.

This situation is no longer just about real estate. It has become a symbol of how unresolved Cold War-era arrangements continue to complicate Europe’s present security landscape.

Russian Embassy Moves to Block Physical Takeover

At the centre of the controversy is a letter sent by the Russian Federation’s embassy to the Gdańsk City Council. According to the document, the former consulate buildings at 13 and 15 Stefan Batory Street will be occupied by an administrative and technical employee of the embassy, effectively preventing the city from taking control.

Deputy Mayor Emilia Łódzka confirmed publicly that this declaration blocks any immediate physical takeover. City officials argue that the move exploits legal grey zones rather than reflecting actual ownership rights. The issue was first reported by RMF24.

Ownership Claims and State Treasury Records

Polish authorities remain firm that the Russian side does not own the property. According to official registers, both buildings belong to the State Treasury, not the Russian Federation. Claims of perpetual use rights, city officials say, are outdated and legally weak.

The dispute hinges on a 1951 agreement between communist-era Poland and the Soviet Union, which allowed free use of the building for consular purposes. After the collapse of the USSR, ownership reverted to the Polish state, a transition Moscow appears reluctant to fully acknowledge.

Years of Unpaid Fees and Court Action

For decades, the villa on Batory Street functioned as Russian diplomatic property without any rental payments. That changed in 2013, when the city began charging usage fees in line with guidance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The consulate neither paid nor responded to repeated notices.

By 2023, Gdańsk estimated the debt at approximately PLN 5.5 million, with an additional PLN 3 million in interest. Legal proceedings followed. A Polish court ordered Russia to pay nearly PLN 400,000 for part of the outstanding amount, though most of the debt remains unresolved.

Deputy Governor of the Pomeranian Province Emil Rojek stated that Russian officials continue to assert civil law claims based on perpetual use, using this argument to refuse a permanent transfer of the property. It is a stance Polish authorities describe as legally unfounded, yet operationally effective.

Diplomatic Fallout and Security Context

The closure of the Russian consulate itself was not an isolated administrative move. On November 19, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced the revocation of the consulate’s licence, citing national security concerns.

Poland linked the decision directly to two acts of sabotage on railway infrastructure between Lublin and Warsaw, incidents viewed by Polish services as part of broader hostile activity. In response, Moscow withdrew consent for the Polish Consulate General in Irkutsk to operate, reinforcing the tit-for-tat dynamic.

This escalation reflects the wider breakdown in relations between Poland and Russia, where diplomatic norms increasingly collide with security-driven decisions.

What Happens Next for the Batory Street Property?

From a legal perspective, the situation is unresolved. The city cannot forcibly enter a building still claimed as diplomatically occupied, yet the Russian side no longer holds a valid consular licence. This leaves the property in a kind of administrative limbo.

Behind the legal arguments lies a deeper question. How many similar arrangements across Central and Eastern Europe remain unresolved, quietly waiting to surface as relations deteriorate further? Gdańsk may simply be the most visible case so far.

City officials have signalled they will continue pursuing legal avenues to regain control of the property and recover outstanding debts. The process, however, is likely to be slow, procedural, and politically sensitive.

Strategic Implications Beyond Gdańsk

This dispute illustrates how diplomatic infrastructure can become leverage during geopolitical confrontation. Buildings, leases, and historical agreements suddenly matter again, not as paperwork but as tools of pressure.

For Polish municipalities and state authorities, the case sets a precedent. Future decisions involving foreign diplomatic properties will likely involve closer coordination with national security services and tighter legal frameworks, closing loopholes left open for decades.