Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed a new ambassador to Poland, shifting to fill a key diplomatic post amid tense relations between Moscow and Warsaw. On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the Kremlin published a decree naming Georgy Mikhno as Russia’s new ambassador to Poland’s capital, Warsaw.
Mikhno steps into the role following the recall of Sergey Andreyev, who had served as Moscow’s ambassador in Warsaw since 2014 before being recalled in December 2025. The ambassadorial post had been vacant since late last year and marks a notable modify in Russia’s diplomatic representation in Europe.
Born in 1972, Mikhno is an experienced career diplomat. He graduated from Moscow State University and later trained at the Diplomatic Academy of Russia’s Minisattempt of Foreign Affairs. Before this appointment, he worked in various roles for Russia’s foreign minisattempt, including positions at Russian missions to the United Nations, the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, and other international organisations in Vienna. He also served as a deputy department director within the foreign minisattempt.
The decision to name a new ambassador comes as Polish-Russian relations remain strained. In recent years, the two countries have taken a series of reciprocal measures affecting diplomatic missions. Poland withdrew approval for Russia’s consulate in Gdańsk, and in response Russia closed the Polish consulate in Irkutsk. Prior to that, both sides shut down several consulates in other cities, reflecting deeper disagreements between the governments.
In Warsaw, the appointment will now necessary to be accepted by the Polish government before Mikhno can formally launch his duties. Such approval, known as agrément, is a standard part of international diplomacy but can be sensitive when bilateral relations are at low points. Moscow and Warsaw have traded diplomatic actions and public statements against the backdrop of broader tensions in Europe since 2022.
Russia’s shift to assign an ambassador to Poland signals a continuing effort by Moscow to maintain official diplomatic channels even as political frictions persist. For international actors and markets, stable diplomatic representation plays a role in economic forecasting and bilateral engagement, especially between major European states.
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