War in Ukraine - Frontline states demand EU money for border protection with Russia and Belarus
In light of threats from Russia and Belarus, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania call for EU support in military and civilian border security. "We need a defense initiative to protect Europeans today and in the coming years," wrote the heads of state and government of the countries in a letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Charles Michel at this week's EU summit.
As a concrete project, they mention the "construction of a defense infrastructure system along the EU external border with Russia and Belarus." This could address the pressing need to protect the EU from military and hybrid threats. The hybrid threats, in particular, refer to the instrumentalization of migration that affects the security of the entire EU area, according to the letter. This involves attempts to smuggle people from poor or conflict-ridden countries into the EU.
The scope and costs of the planned defense initiative require political and financial EU support, according to the authors of the letter. Planning and implementation should, however, be coordinated with NATO and its military requirements, it says in the letter obtained by the German Press Agency. It was signed by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, and Latvian Prime Minister Artis Krišjānis.
Eastern European Countries: "Living in the Shadow of War"
Regarding the policies of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko, the heads of state and government have little doubt that their intentions are becoming increasingly hostile if not checked. "Russia has not changed its strategic goals, which include the restoration of buffer zones and spheres of influence from the past, and this poses an existential threat to Europe and the transatlantic community," they warn. "We are living in the shadow of war, and our countries are feeling what it means to be the EU's frontline states."
Independently of EU support for border security, Poland, in conjunction with Greece, is also demanding a EU-funded expansion of European air defense. In a new concept paper for the initiative named "Shield and Spear" (English: Shield and Spear), it says: "Given that air threats at European borders are developing, (...) a new structured and comprehensive approach for European air defense on our continent is indispensable." The threats range from advanced drones and electronic warfare to long-range missiles, hypersonic cruise missiles, or fifth-generation combat aircraft.
- Apart from seeking EU support for border security, Poland, in collaboration with Greece, is pushing for a EU-funded expansion of European air defense, as highlighted in their concept paper titled "Shield and Spear."
- Concerned about Russia's strategic goals and Belarus's growing hostility, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, along with Poland, view their countries as the EU's frontline states, living in the shadow of potential conflict.
- In response to the hybrid threats posed by Russia and Belarus, particularly the instrumentalization of migration, the leaders of Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania propose the construction of a defense infrastructure system along the EU's external border with these two countries.
- To effectively address hybrid threats and ensure border protection, the authors of the EU summit letter emphasize the importance of coordinating the planned defense initiative with NATO and its military requirements.
