Poland arrests suspect in Russian cartoonist murder and vows to block EU Russia measures without its involvement

Polish police detained a man suspected of involvement in the June 18 shooting that killed Russian caricaturist Semjon Skrepek (real name Robert Kuzovkov) in Białystok, eastern Poland. The attacker, described as armed with a pistol, fired three shots at the artist and two additional close‑range shots. Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the act a political assassination and suggested it could have been ordered by Russia, stressing its international dimension. Poland had offered protection to Skrepek, which he refused; two Belarusian citizens were also arrested in connection with the case and later released.

Later, at an EU leaders summit in Brussels, Tusk announced that Poland will not vote on EU security or Russia‑related decisions adopted without Polish participation, particularly those negotiated in the E3 format (France, Germany, United Kingdom). He warned that measures taken without Warsaw’s involvement would not be considered binding for Poland, reflecting heightened tensions between Poland, the EU, and Russia.