Poland’s Prime Minister Tusk pledges to enhance border security with Belarus

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk made a bold statement on Saturday when he visited the border with Belarus, pledging to strengthen security measures along the entire eastern frontier. Tusk accused Belarus, a close ally of Russia, of waging a “hybrid war” against the West by encouraging migrants to cross into the EU.

During his visit, Tusk met with Polish army soldiers, border guard officers, and police, emphasizing the growing threat posed by the Russian-Ukrainian war and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. He vowed that Poland would spare no expense in ensuring border security, particularly in light of the increasing number of illegal crossings.

Tusk’s visit to the border, his first since taking office in December, comes after a Polish judge defected to Belarus, sparking accusations of espionage and treason. Tusk, who succeeded the Law and Justice party known for its tough stance on migration, emphasized the importance of investing in border security not just for Poland but for the entire European Union.

With European elections approaching in June, Tusk’s visit served as a message to voters that his political party, Civic Coalition, prioritizes border security and supports the uniformed officers stationed at the border. The migration crisis along the EU’s eastern border with Belarus has been a point of contention, with the EU accusing Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko of using migrants to destabilize the bloc.

Tusk’s visit underscores the ongoing challenges faced by European countries in managing migration and ensuring border security in the face of external threats and geopolitical tensions.