Foreign Minister: Poland will reciprocate Russia's hostility over diplomatic buildings

WARSAW, Poland – Poland's foreign minister says his government will reciprocate if Russia continues to bill for Poland's diplomatic buildings.

Grzegorz Schetyna spoke Wednesday after the Arbitration Court in St. Petersburg allowed bailiffs to evict Poland's consulate there, saying Poland owes some $1 million in rent.

The decision is seen as an element in the growing tension between Poland and Russia over Moscow's role in the conflict in neighboring Ukraine.

Poland has protested the court's decision, saying that diplomatic premises have immunity, and that Russia is using about a dozen buildings in Poland rent free.

Schetyna said that should Russia continue to bill Poland, it will "receive the same treatment from the Polish side."

"Russia's overdue rent is much, much higher than that of the Polish consulate in St. Petersburg," he said.