Poland to bolster eastern borders to curb irregular migration from Belarus

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland will strengthen its eastern border infrastructure to deter migrants entering from Belarus, as the number of illegal crossing attempts increases.

Tusk said that Poland is facing a "hybrid war" in illegal migration from Belarus, as he visited the village fo Karakule on the border to meet with troops, according to the Polish Press Agency. "There will be no limit of funds when it comes to the security of Poland," he said.

The prime minister reaffirmed his belief that Alexander Lukashenko's regime in Belarus is "co-organizing this practice" as the country has been demonstrating increasingly aggressive intentions towards Poland. In 2021, Poland accused Belarus of letting in thousands of undocumented migrants through the border into the European Union, accusations that Belarus denies.

Tusk on Saturday said the bolstered fortifications would be along the "entire eastern border," which could also include Ukraine and Russia. He gave no details on the planning.

Belarus has also come under fire recently for its customs union with Russia. On Monday, the European Commission called for sweeping trade sanctions against Belarus, saying that concerns over food security should not be used as an argument to give Moscow’s closest ally any exceptions, according to a proposal seen by POLITICO.

Earlier this week, a high-level Polish judge sought political asylum in Belarus, saying the move was in “protest against Poland’s unjust and harmful policy” toward Belarus and Russia.