Poland states clearly that addressing these major challenges requires a tight border security system, support for migration-source countries, discouraging citizens from leaving, and a steadfast posture focused on protecting the safety of its own people. This stance was outlined by Paweł Jabłoński, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an interview conducted by the wPolityce.pl portal.
Germany calls for closing the Polish-Belarusian border
The German daily Die Welt reported that more people crossed into Germany illegally via Poland in April than in previous months, stirring concern among Christian Democrats. One CDU-CSU politician told the newspaper that Chancellor Scholz and his government are not handling the situation well.
Germany calls for the closure of the Polish-Belarusian border. Why are Western European neighbors suddenly so worried? This question was put to Deputy Foreign Minister Paweł Jabłoński.
People want borders that are as secure as possible. The deputy explained that anyone who once believed Poland should accept individuals brought to our borders by Lukashenko would be acting against Poland’s and Europe’s security interests.
According to him, Poland began tightening border controls with Belarus as soon as the threat emerged. A security system has been established in record time—not just a border wall, but an entire framework that now makes illegal crossing far more difficult. Of course, no boundary is 100% impermeable.
He added that listening to former Prime Minister Donald Tusk in 2021, who suggested that some people arriving at Poland’s borders needed help, would have left the country in a far worse situation. These people, Jabłoński argued, were used as weapons in a hybrid war orchestrated by Lukashenko and Putin.
He noted that the attack would be more intense and destabilizing if confronted with merely empty calls to close or harden the border. Therefore, anyone advocating stricter border security is speaking from a legitimate perspective, as security remains a priority.
In politics, it is essential to be guided by a country’s own interests, according to Jabłoński. The German Christian Democrats pressure Poland to better guard the EU’s external borders, while criticizing Chancellor Scholz for perceived inaction, but the Polish official emphasized that discussions should stay within national borders and focus on security and shared responsibilities.
The wPolityce.pl interview also highlighted Europe’s migration pressure and the variety of reasons behind it. While Poland has repeatedly opened its doors to refugees fleeing war or persecution, including those from Ukraine, the government stresses that basic duties must be balanced with the need to protect citizens’ safety. It is recognized that economic migration adds a different dimension, with many drawn to Europe’s opportunities but not ready to bear the costs of accepting large flows without safeguards. The priority remains safeguarding Polish citizens while working with countries of origin to improve living conditions and establish stable institutions to discourage mass emigration, rather than merely opening borders.
Jabłoński asserted that even with barriers and security measures, the border situation will not vanish. Western European nations should prepare for continued pressure, driven by demographic trends where growth in some regions contrasts with aging, shrinking populations in Europe. In other regions, demography is more favorable for outward migration—creating a long-term migratory pressure Europe must address and respond to.
Poland’s answer to these formidable challenges is a robust border security system paired with international cooperation to support source countries and dissuade outward migration, all while maintaining a firm stance in defense of its citizens’ safety.
Lukashenko’s hybrid war as a test
Looking back after more than a year of Russian aggression against Ukraine, it is worth asking whether Lukashenko’s hybrid warfare against Poland and other EU states could foreshadow moves by Putin in Ukraine today.
It appears to have been a deliberate effort to destabilize Poland and other EU members by drawing attention to the border, repositioning troops, and testing the state’s resolve to defend itself. The assessment suggests that Poland managed the situation effectively, though some groups, centers, media outlets, and political actors echoed Lukashenko’s propaganda or cited Belarusian security services without critical judgment—an outcome viewed as a failing test by some.
Despite the missteps among critics of the ruling party, the broader evaluation is that Poland passed the test of defending state security, with a clear majority recognizing the need to remain steadfast. This conclusion underscores the priority given to safeguarding the nation and its people.
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