FM claims Poland contemplates closing border with Russian ally
Date
6/26/2024 8:45:20 AM
(MENAFN) Poland is deliberating the complete closure of its border with Belarus as a response to a surge in Middle Eastern migrants, announced Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski. Currently, only two out of six border crossings between the two nations remain open, with considerations now extending to potentially shutting these as well. Speaking to TVN24, Sikorski emphasized that the decision hinges on evaluating economic and local community impacts.
The minister referenced Finland's closure of its border with Russia last November, which resulted in a notable decrease in asylum seeker entries from Russia, primarily from the Middle East and Africa. Drawing a parallel, Sikorski underscored that Poland aims to impose consequences on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, rather than solely bearing the repercussions.
Accusing Russian and Belarusian security services of orchestrating the influx, Sikorski reiterated Poland's stance that the surge of migrants represents a coordinated effort. He condemned Belarusian agents for allegedly directing asylum seekers on methods to confront Polish border guards, describing such actions as shocking and unacceptable. The tensions peaked recently when a Polish soldier tragically lost his life after being stabbed by a migrant through a border fence.
Despite repeated denials from Minsk, both Poland and the European Union maintain accusations that Belarus is facilitating the movement of migrants towards the Polish border. As Poland continues to assess the situation, the potential closure of its border with Belarus looms large, marking a significant development in the ongoing geopolitical and humanitarian challenges faced by the European Union.
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