The Polish Interior Minister, Tomasz Siemoniak, has said that there is no possibility that Poland will reopen its border checkpoints with Belarus.
Siemoniak said that Poland would like to open the border with Belarus, but stressed that it will remain closed as long as Belarus threatens Poland’s security, Schengen.News reports.
As long as Belarus behaves this way towards (Poland), I do not see any possibility that anything will change in this area. We would like… for these crossings to be open, for them to function normally.
In response to “migrant instrumentalisation” authorities in Poland introduced controls at their border with Belarus.
The Polish Interior Minister accused Belarus of sending migrants to his country’s border and denounced Belarus’ provocations towards Polish border guards.
(O)n the Belarusian side, we are dealing with the use of migrants, high-profile situations, recently, a uniformed officer threw stones at our border guards, at our cars.
“Migrant Crisis on Polish-Belarus Border Escalating with Increasing Brutality”
On April 5, the Polish Border Guard said that the migrant crisis on the Poland-Belarus border is escalating with increasing brutality.
Russia and Belarus have often been accused by the EU countries of instrumentalized migration.
In response, Poland, along with Finland, Estonia Latvia and Lithuania also imposed border controls on Russia and Belarus to halt irregular migration and enhance national security.
Tightened Rules for Belarusians Reaching Poland
Last month, Politico reported that Poland is moving forward with its new law which was supported by EU leaders to suspend access to asylum for those crossing into the country through Belarus, after accusing authorities in Russia of instrumentalised migration.
Every day of delay puts our border guards, soldiers and police officers at further risk by prolonging this acute crisis at the border. Thanks to this tough policy, we’re effectively stopping the wave.
In October 2024, the Polish Prime Minister said that Russia was behind the increasing number of migrants who attempt to reach Poland, considering it a form of “hybrid warfare.”
In addition, Tusk said that the majority of migrants were nationals of Africa and the Middle East, stressing that Belarusian border guards were helping them to cross the border in order to destabilise the country.
Back then, Tusk said that every day, Poland sees 100,150 and even 200 attempts to cross the border in an irregular way.
However, the plan was criticised by critics and rights groups, considering it unlawful. They support this plan that allows “abusive pushbacks” that go against both the European Union and international refugee law.