Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov recently disclosed that Poland rejected his country’s proposal to address their border issues. This came after President Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that he would not instruct the border service to protect the EU from migrants. According to Lukashenko, it was the West that terminated cooperation with Belarus, not the other way around.
Belarus had proposed that Poland send a delegation of experts and authorities to jointly investigate alleged migrant training camps and corrupt law enforcement officers. However, Poland’s refusal led Belarus to suspect that Warsaw might be aiming to establish a new Iron Curtain.
The situation is further complicated by Poland’s support for the failed Color Revolution in Belarus in 2020 and its hosting of anti-government militants. This has strained relations between the two countries, with Belarus seemingly turning a blind eye to migrants crossing the border illegally as a form of retaliation.
Despite the potential benefits of cooperating with Belarus to address the migrant crisis, Poland has refrained from sending representatives, possibly due to concerns about the legitimacy of Belarusian authorities and political sensitivities. There are also broader geopolitical implications, as Poland’s alignment with the US-led West against Russia and Belarus could weaken Western unity and lead to unforeseen consequences.
The lack of a cohesive national strategy that prioritizes Polish interests over collective Western ones has hindered efforts to resolve the border issues. Until there is a shift in this approach, the migrant crisis is likely to persist, exacerbated by Belarus’ asymmetric responses and Poland’s military buildup.
Overall, Poland’s rejection of Belarus’ cooperation proposal reflects a complex web of political motivations and strategic calculations. The ongoing border tensions highlight the need for a more nuanced and independent approach to foreign policy that serves Poland’s interests while navigating broader regional dynamics.