Poland says neighboring Belarus and its main supporter and ally Russia are behind a recent surge in migrants from Belarus toward the European Union
A Somali woman pushes her bandaged hand between two vertical bars of a thick metal barrier separating Belarus from Poland as she and four other women gaze toward the European Union. They nod gratefully as a Polish humanitarian aid worker calls to them across a stretch of land as wide as a one-lane road and promises to help. Polish soldiers patrol nearby.
The number of attempted illegal border crossings from Belarus into EU-member Poland has shot up in recent months to almost 400 a day — from only a handful a day earlier this year, Polish officials say. Poland’s border guards have also decried increasingly aggressive behavior by some migrants on the Belarus side of the border. They have posted online videos of some throwing rocks, logs and even burning wood at the Polish troops from behind the fence.
Poland sees the new push at the border as an orchestrated attempt by Russia and Belarus to fuel anti-migrant sentiment, which could in turn boost far-right parties in the European vote. Poland and the EU say migrants — who have trekked to former Soviet countries from as far away as the Middle East and Africa — have become pawns in an effort by Russia and Belarus to destabilize Europe, which has backed Ukraine in its defense against Russia's invasion more than two years ago.
According to Poland, Moscow's scenario of purportedly seeking to flood the EU with a surge in migrants would provide political ammunition for anti-migrant, far-right parties in countries such as France, Germany and Italy.
Caught in the middle are the migrants themselves, including many women and children stuck in hostile marshes and forests along the border. In late May on the Polish side of the border, volunteers were seen giving water to an exhausted Algerian man. Aid activists have criticized Tusk’s government for tough border policies. He has acknowledged that many soldiers feel conflicted between the need to protect the border and sympathy for humanitarian workers who want to “help others in distress.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Poland has arrested 18 people on allegations of planning hostile acts on behalf of Russia, BelarusPoland's interior minister says 18 have been arrested on allegations of pursuing hostile activities or planning sabotage on behalf of Russia and Belarus
Read more »
18 arrested in Poland, accused of planning hostile acts on behalf of Russia, BelarusPoland's interior minister says 18 have been arrested on allegations of pursuing hostile acts or planning sabotage on behalf of Russia and Belarus.
Read more »
Poland has arrested 18 people on allegations of planning hostile acts on behalf of Russia, BelarusPoland's interior minister says 18 have been arrested on allegations of pursuing hostile activities or planning sabotage on behalf of Russia and Belarus.
Read more »
Poland has arrested 18 people on allegations of planning hostile acts on behalf of Russia, BelarusPoland's interior minister says 18 have been arrested on allegations of pursuing hostile activities or planning sabotage on behalf of Russia and Belarus
Read more »
Poland Unveils New Plan for Border With Russia and BelarusPoland, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, is ramping up efforts to fortify large swaths of its borders.
Read more »
Poland plans fortifications along its border with Russia and BelarusDefense officials in NATO member Poland on Monday presented a plan to strengthen anti-drone surveillance and on-ground military defense through a system of fortifications and barriers along about 700 kilometers (430 miles) of its eastern border with Russia and Russian ally Belarus.
Read more »