Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has issued a stark warning, declaring that a state of 'hybrid war' is actively unfolding on the European Union's eastern frontier. The accusation squarely targets the regimes in Minsk and Moscow, whom Warsaw claims are deliberately orchestrating a new wave of migration to destabilise Poland and the broader EU bloc.
'We are facing a hybrid war, a campaign that is being conducted in a very coordinated manner,' stated Tusk during a high-level meeting in Warsaw. He asserted that the current migrant pressure is 'masterminded by the Belarusian and Russian regimes,' marking a significant escalation in the long-standing border tensions.
A Coordinated Assault on the Border
The situation echoes the 2021 crisis, which saw thousands of migrants, primarily from the Middle East and Africa, funnelled towards the Polish border by Belarusian authorities. This tactic was widely condemned by the EU as a form of 'hybrid warfare' in retaliation for Brussels' sanctions on Alexander Lukashenko's government.
Recent weeks have witnessed a sharp and alarming resurgence in attempted illegal crossings. Polish border guards report a substantial increase in violent and aggressive incidents, suggesting a more organised and confrontational approach by those facilitating the crossings.
Warsaw's Firm Response
In response to the escalating threat, the Polish government is taking decisive action. A new comprehensive plan has been unveiled, designed to fortify the border and manage the crisis effectively. The strategy is built on three core pillars:
- Immediate physical reinforcement: Investing hundreds of millions of euros to enhance border infrastructure, including fences, surveillance systems, and monitoring technology.
- Diplomatic and legal pressure: Intensifying efforts to encourage airlines and travel operators to cease facilitating irregular migration routes to Minsk.
- International solidarity: Rallying support from NATO and EU partners to present a united front against what is perceived as a direct attack on the union's sovereignty and security.
'We must be prepared for any scenario,' Tusk emphasised, underscoring the seriousness with which his administration views the threat. The government's plan also includes provisions for potential temporary border closures if the situation deteriorates further.
A Broader Geopolitical Conflict
Analysts view this renewed migrant pressure as a single front in a larger, multi-faceted conflict. With the war in Ukraine raging, the Belarusian and Russian regimes appear to be exploiting migration as a low-cost, high-impact tool to sow discord within the EU, stretch its resources, and test its resolve.
This crisis presents a critical test for European unity and its ability to defend its external borders against what it defines as weaponised migration. The EU has repeatedly stated it will not be blackmailed, and Poland's robust response is being closely watched in Brussels and other European capitals.
