In an interview with the Nasz Dziennik daily newspaper, published on Monday, Mariusz Błaszczak said that intelligence obtained from Kiev suggested migrants might be redirected by Belarus authorities to Ukraine, the state PAP news agency reported.
“Given Minsk’s objectives for stoking this crisis, such a scenario cannot be ruled out,” the minister said.
“Whichever way the situation develops, let me assure you that Poland is ready for every eventuality,” Błaszczak emphasised.
“We’ll be seeking to work closer together with Kiev, in order to repel a further hybrid attack, if necessary,” the minister stated, adding that Ukraine was already cooperating with Poland over the protection of the Polish border.
Meanwhile, Poland’s Border Guard on Monday said it had recorded 35 illegal attempts to cross from Belarus overnight, and around 40,000 attempted illegal incursions from that direction in 2021, as the migrant crisis lingered on, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine
Błaszczak also told the interview that “Poland, together with its allies, is closely monitoring the situation in the conflict area between Russia and Ukraine.”
“We are holding consultations on this subject, both bilaterally and multilaterally, including in NATO,” the minister added, “in order to send a clear message that we won’t accept any escalation of the tension around Ukraine,” PAP reported.
(pm)
Source: PAP, IAR