Dispute over building of former Russian consulate in Gdańsk: City demands PLN 2.2 million

The diplomatic conflict surrounding a property in Gdańsk's Wrzeszcz district has entered a phase of financial claims. The City of Gdańsk has officially issued an invoice to the Russian Federation for the amount of PLN 2.2 million. This sum includes compensation for the contractless use of the historic villa, which for years served as the seat of the Consulate General of Russia. Although the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs withdrew its consent for this facility's operation long ago, the Russian side ignores successive calls to hand over the object. The building remains in Russian hands, who effectively block access to the interior for city hall representatives and technical services. The history of Russian diplomatic facilities in Gdańsk dates back to the 18th century, but the current dispute concerns property taken over or used based on intergovernmental agreements from the times of the Polish People's Republic, which after 1989 became a legal burden for Polish local governments. The stalemate situation has lasted for many months, and the Russian debt is systematically growing. Gdańsk Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz announced that the city will not give up the due funds, and in case of further resistance from the Russian side, the matter may be referred to bailiff enforcement. However, this is a complicated process due to diplomatic immunity, which often prevents traditional eviction procedures against state-owned properties. The Gdańsk case is part of a broader process of the Polish state and local governments reclaiming buildings unlawfully occupied by Russia, which gained momentum after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. „Rossiya ne namerena otkazyvat'sya ot svoikh prav sobstvennosti za rubezhom i budet zashchishchat' ikh vsemi dostupnymi pravovymi sredstvami.” (Russia does not intend to give up its property rights abroad and will defend them by all available legal means.) — Vladimir Putin The property manager, acting on behalf of the State Treasury, is currently preparing complete court documentation. The claims cover the period from the formal withdrawal of consent for the object's use to the present day. Experts emphasize that although recovering cash directly from Moscow is unlikely, the obtained enforcement title will allow for the seizure of other Russian assets in Poland or the European Union. The Gdańsk villa at 15 Batorego Street, with an area of nearly 1,000 square meters, is one of the most attractive properties in this part of the city, and its recovery would allow it to be allocated for social or cultural purposes.