As tensions grow along Poland’s eastern border, the country is asking for help from its European allies.
The situation at the Polish-Belarusian border has evolved from a migration crisis to a complex security issue, leading Poland to seek support from Germany and France to protect its borders.
Poland requests police and border guard support
In a significant development, Poland’s defense minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, has formally requested assistance from German and French police border guards.
After a meeting in Paris with his counterparts, Kosiniak-Kamysz stated, “I have asked for support in this area — not military support, but police support and border guard support.”
The exact details of the requested support are not clear, but this move shows the gravity of the situation for Poland.
The minister explained that the current crisis is more than just a migration issue.
“We are struggling with a huge problem — not a migration problem, because today there are no migrants on the Polish-Belarusian border, there are people attacking Polish soldiers, policemen and border guards. They are trained for this,” Kosiniak-Kamysz told the Polska Zbrojna website.
He described the situation as “a hybrid, organized action against Western civilization” and called for more involvement from European countries and NATO in securing the borders.
Escalating tensions and security measures
In recent months, there have been more attempts to cross the border and attacks on Polish officers. Sadly, a Polish soldier was killed in one of these attacks.
The Polish government blames Russia and Belarus for organizing these aggressive actions.
To deal with the growing problem, Poland has increased security along its border.
This includes new rules about when border guards can use firearms, showing the higher threat level faced by Polish forces.
However, the situation is still complicated
Maciej Żywno, the deputy speaker of the Senate and a member of the ruling coalition, gave a detailed view in an interview with Gazeta Wyborcza.
Based on his work as a volunteer rescue worker at the border, Żywno said there are real migrants, including families with children, who are stuck between Polish and Belarusian forces.
Weimar Triangle agreements
The Paris meeting, held by the Weimar Triangle (which includes Poland, France, and Germany), led to three important agreements to improve security in the region:
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Joint military exercises will be held in Poland next year.
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France will join Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands in creating a “military transport corridor” to increase mobility activities.
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Continued support for Ukraine, including the transfer of military equipment.
Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed the importance of mobility in defense strategies, stating, “There is no effective defense today without mobility.”
Eastern EU members call for strengthened borders
In a separate but related development, Poland has teamed up with the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to ask the European Union (EU) to strengthen its eastern border defenses.
In a joint letter to Brussels, these four EU members warned of a “looming threat” from Russia and Belarus.
The letter mentioned concerns about different types of hybrid attacks, such as intimidation, using migrants as tools, sabotage, disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference, and cyber-attacks.
The signers asked the EU to spend more and work together on defense initiatives within the EU and with NATO.
Potential border closure with Belarus
As the situation continues to change, Poland is considering taking more serious actions.
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that the country is considering closing all checkpoints with Belarus because of the ongoing migrant influx.
This possible decision has raised concerns. Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya urged Poland to reconsider, emphasizing the importance of keeping Belarus connected to Europe.
EU border crisis on visa policy
The growing border crisis and possible policy changes could affect EU visitors and immigrants, especially with the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) and Schengen visa rules.
The ETIAS system, soon to be implemented, aims to improve security in the Schengen Area.
However, the current situation might lead to stricter checks and longer processing times for travelers.
Long-term visitors, like students, digital nomads, and investors, might face more scrutiny and possible delays in visa applications or renewals.
Families planning to move to Poland or nearby regions might face more challenges in the immigration process.
The increased security measures could lead to more thorough background checks and longer waiting times for residency permits.
Reevaluating immigration policies
The ongoing crisis is likely to impact EU immigration policies, possibly leading to a review of the Schengen Agreement and ETIAS implementation.
Member states may call for stronger external border controls and better cooperation in managing migration.
The situation could speed up talks about a more unified EU approach to border security and immigration.
This might include proposals for joint border patrol operations, better information sharing among member states, and changes to the ETIAS system to address new security concerns.
A delicate balance
As Poland deals with the difficult challenges at its eastern border, its actions and requests for help show the need to balance national security with humanitarian concerns.
The involvement of key European allies and the EU highlights the regional and continental impact of the crisis.
The next few months will be crucial in deciding how Europe handles these challenges.
As Europe tries to keep its commitment to free movement while ensuring the security of its external borders, the situation at the Polish-Belarusian border may serve as a test for future EU border and immigration policies.
The results will have significant effects on travelers, immigrants, and European citizens.