Poland, Baltic states warn of Belarus border crisis
Poland and the Baltic states have warned that they will immediately close their borders with Belarus if any incidents occur at the border. Interior ministers from the four countries have called on Minsk to immediately withdraw the Wagner Group and migrants from the border region.
“Two things are necessary to stabilise the situation at the border with Belarus: we have demanded that the authorities in Minsk immediately withdraw the Wagner Group from the territory of Belarus, and also that the illegal migrants gathered there by the Belarusian services leave the area and be sent back to their countries of origin,” said Poland’s interior minister, Mariusz Kaminski, after a meeting with his counterparts from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
According to the Polish official, the fact that the administration of the Wagner Group has been liquidated does not change the real situation in Belarus, as there are still several thousand mercenaries there, accused of crimes, who were released from Russian prisons in exchange for their participation in the war in Ukraine.
“If there is a critical incident, regardless of whether it is at the border with Poland, Lithuania, or Latvia, we will respond immediately. At that time, all border crossing points that have been open until now will be closed. Both for people and for goods,” added the Polish minister.
“We are determined and we will act together in the event that there are problems for our countries. Also, if the decision is made to close the borders, Lithuania is ready, we have a plan for a gradual closure of the border,” announced the Lithuanian Minister of the Interior, Agne Bilotaite.
“This is a message to Minsk, to Lukashenko, that we will not hesitate to make decisions. If weapons are used or there is a massive illegal crossing of the border, each of our countries will react in a few hours,” said the Latvian Minister of the Interior, Maris Kueinskis.
“Estonia will support its neighbours. We are prepared for this, we have the intention to do this, and we want to support our neighbours. If we are to talk about Belarus, I believe it is time to be united and to react together,” said Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Laanemets.
Poland closed all border points with Belarus this year, with the exception of one, after a Polish-born journalist was imprisoned by Minsk and Polish diplomats were expelled. Lithuania has also recently closed two border crossing points, out of the six it has, while Latvia and Poland have significantly increased border security. The Estonian armed forces have begun training exercises for reservists. Approximately 10,000 people are participating in the military exercises, which last until October 8.
