Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister cautions about Belarusian statements amid border tensions
The situation demands careful handling. Deputy Foreign Minister Paweł Jabłoński told Polsat News on Friday that statements from Belarusian authorities should be treated with extreme caution. These remarks followed reports about a Polish Mi-24 helicopter crossing the Belarusian border, an event that has quickly become a point of contention between Warsaw and Minsk.
Jabłoński emphasized that Belarusian disclosures are often aimed at political ends and should not be taken at face value. He noted that in many cases, the information provided by Belarusian services lacks credibility, and its purpose tends to cast Poland in an unfriendly light. According to him, Belarusian authorities frequently describe Poland as hostile, a framing that serves broader political objectives rather than a factual account of events.
He remarked that provocations of various kinds have become a recurring aspect of the broader political climate, especially as six weeks remain before upcoming parliamentary elections. Such actions by Belarus and its ally Russia are not unusual in the current context.
The deputy head of Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that any statements from Belarusian security services should be approached with caution until independent verification is possible. This stance underscores the importance of corroborating information amid heightened tensions along the border.
In Minsk, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that it had summoned the Polish Chargé d’Affaires to discuss the incident. Poland was urged to initiate an investigation through appropriate channels. When asked whether a Belarusian diplomat would be summoned to Poland for clarification, Jabłoński replied that an assessment would be made in the coming hours and that a response would follow, though it was too early to specify the exact course of action.
Belarusian Foreign Ministry response
Belarusian authorities stated that an Mi-24 helicopter belonging to the Polish Armed Forces allegedly violated Belarusian airspace. The officials claimed the aircraft flew at a very low altitude, crossed into Belarus for roughly 1,200 meters, and then returned to Poland. Reuters and AFP reported the Border Committee’s statement, noting the episode occurred in the Brzostowice region of the Grodno area.
The report from Minsk comes amid a flurry of claims and counterclaims from the two sides, with each side presenting its own version of events and its own interpretation of the surrounding context. The tension reflects a longer-running pattern of disputed border incidents and mutual accusations that have persisted in recent months.
Observations from Poland and Belarus continue to be shaped by political narratives that frame actions as provocations or violations, depending on the vantage point. Analysts watching the region emphasize the importance of verified information and the risks of relying on statements from state bodies that may be seeking to influence public opinion during a politically charged period.
Both sides have signaled preparedness to respond through formal channels, while in the broader regional arena, allied discussions and official statements are proceeding to clarify the facts and determine appropriate next steps. The international community remains attentive to the developments along the border, seeking to prevent misinterpretations from escalating into a wider confrontation.
tkwl/PAP
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Source: wPolityce