MOSCOW: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced on Friday his decision to establish contact with Poland, expressing his willingness to engage in dialogue amidst heightened border tensions between the NATO member and Moscow’s ally, Belarus.
Recent events have strained relations between the two nations, with Poland accusing Belarus of multiple airspace violations involving two Belarusian helicopters. Additionally, a Belarusian individual was detained under suspicion of being linked to a “Russian spy ring.”
The rift between Minsk and Warsaw has been exacerbated by Belarus’s collaboration with Moscow, allowing its territory to be used for attacks on Ukraine. The situation escalated further when Belarus emerged as a new base for fighters affiliated with the Russian Wagner mercenary group. Poland has cited this development as a security concern and subsequently fortified its border defenses.
Lukashenko’s statement marked an unusual move towards diplomacy, revealing his intention to address the growing tensions. “We need to talk to the Poles. I ordered the prime minister to contact them,” Lukashenko stated, as reported by the state news agency Belta. He emphasized the reality of shared geography, noting, “We are neighbors, and you don’t choose our neighbors.”
Poland to Deploy 10,000 Troops to Border with Belarus
The Belarusian president’s announcement followed Poland’s declaration that it would deploy 10,000 troops to its border with Belarus. Lukashenko attributed Poland’s actions to upcoming parliamentary elections, suggesting a political motive for the increased military presence. He commented, “They have parliamentary elections on October 15, of course, they need to escalate the situation… to show that they have properly armed (Poland).”
Tensions have been underscored by concerns within the European Union (EU) regarding the Wagner group’s activities. Lukashenko has provided refuge to Wagner fighters after their failed mutiny in Russia. During a recent visit to Saint Petersburg, Lukashenko humorously remarked about the fighters’ aspirations to venture westward, saying, “Wagner fighters are asking to go West, asking for permission… to go on a trip to Warsaw, to Rzeszow.”
Poland has emerged as a haven for thousands of Belarusians seeking refuge from their homeland, which has been under Lukashenko’s rule since 1994. The situation remains fluid, and Lukashenko’s overture to Poland suggests a potential opening for diplomatic discussions to address the escalating tensions along their shared border.
