Poland enhances defensive measures along eastern frontier.
For the past two years, Poland has been safeguarding its boundary with Belarus using a high fence complete with an electronic surveillance system. With the intention of solidifying Poland's eastern border, Prime Minister Tusk stated that this is just the beginning of the efforts to enhance overall security.
Belarus' actions, such as organized migration and increasing threats from Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine, spurred Poland's determination to tighten their borders. Tusk addressed border guards and soldiers on the Polish-Belarusian border, stating that considerable work will be put into erecting a modern fortification spanning along the entire Polish eastern border. Since this border marks the EU's external boundary, it's crucial for the entire union of states to contribute to these reinforcements.
During the summer of 2022, Poland fortified its 418-kilometre-long border with Belarus. They achieved this by installing a 5.5-metre-high fence and an electronic surveillance system in the region. Recently, Poland's Defense Minister stated that they will continue fortifying the border by creating bunkers and trenches on the border with Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
Strained relations between Poland and Belarus
The connection between the EU and NATO member Poland and the authoritarian Belarus has been strained for a considerable time. Known for their unwavering support of Ukraine, which is currently in conflict with Russia, Poland and the EU accuse Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko of Using organized migration from crisis zones to place pressure on the Western world.
Recent events have only heightened tensions between these countries. A Polish judge who had access to sensitive information fled to Belarus last week and requested asylum. The Polish public prosecutor's office is now investigating him for possibly working for a foreign intelligence agency.
Almost immediately after the event, Polish border guards at the Polish-Belarusian border discovered an abandoned Russian soldier who had previously served in Ukraine. Posing as a migrant, he blended in with the group and crossed the border without permission.
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- Given the tensions between Poland and Belarus, it was announced by the Polish government that they will seek assistance from NATO allies in strengthening their eastern border, which is also the EU's external boundary.
- In response to Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Belarus' actions such as organized migration, Poland's former Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the need for further investment in armor and fortifications along the Polish-Russian border, including the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
- During a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Polish President Andrzej Duda emphasized the importance of collective defense and called for increased cooperation between NATO members, including the deployment of additional troops along Poland's eastern frontier to deter potential threats from Russia and Belarus.
Source: www.ntv.de
