Poland Allocates $2.5 Billion for Strengthening Border Security with Russia and Belarus
The EU’s investment bank provided a loan of 300 million euros to establish Poland’s first earth observation satellite system.
Poland is investing approximately $2.5 billion to enhance security and deterrence on its borders with Russia and Belarus, as stated by the prime minister.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland announced on May 18 that the country will allocate 10 billion zlotys (around $2.55 billion) for a program to secure its eastern border, citing increased threats from Russia and Belarus.
Work on the Shield-East project, which involves constructing military fortifications, has already commenced. Poland, situated on NATO’s eastern flank and a member of the EU, emphasized its additional responsibility for European security.
“We are initiating a significant project to create a secure border, including a system of fortifications along with landscaping and environmental decisions that will render this border impassable for a potential enemy,” Tusk stated.
Further details regarding the fortifications were not disclosed by the prime minister.
Tusk also discussed with the European Investment Bank the funding for a satellite component of the European Sky Shield Initiative, as per a statement.
The European Sky Shield initiative, established by Germany in 2022, aims to enhance European air defense. Tusk likened it to Israel’s Iron Dome system.
Following their meeting in Warsaw on May 20, the president of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, Nadia Calviño, stated that the bank would provide a 300 million euro loan to support “Poland’s first earth observation satellite system, which will aid various dual, civil, and security initiatives.”
The EIB, collectively owned by EU countries, borrows funds from capital markets and lends them on favorable terms to projects aligned with EU objectives, according to the EU’s website.
Border Wall
Poland’s border with Belarus has been a contentious issue since the influx of illegal immigrants began in 2021, sparked by Minsk’s actions to create a crisis and open new pathways into Europe.
The Polish Border Guard recorded 5,100 attempted illegal crossings from Belarus in the first half of November 2021, compared to 120 in the entire year of 2020.
The previous government built a steel wall topped with concertina wire on the Poland–Belarus border to halt the significant flow of illegal immigrants.
According to a statement from the Polish Ministry of Interior and Administration, the 186-kilometer-long (approximately 116 miles) and 5 1/2-meter-high wall was completed in June 2022. The wall features special passages for wildlife similar to those on highways.
The electronic barrier, covering 206 kilometers (about 128 miles) of border, also includes sections like rivers and watercourses not protected by the wall, as mentioned in the statement.
Together, both barriers cover nearly half of the 418-kilometer (260-mile) border with Belarus.
During one day in November, out of 120 individuals attempting to cross the Belarusian border into Poland illegally, 110 reversed course upon encountering border patrol, while 10 were apprehended, according to the release.
During the first quarter of 2023, only the steel wall was in place, while construction of the electronic barrier was ongoing.
Relations With Russia
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, tensions have escalated between Poland and Belarus, with Warsaw increasing defense spending and accusing Minsk and Moscow of destabilizing Poland.
Tusk mentioned that over 90 percent of those illegally crossing the Polish border possess Russian visas, attributing the organization of recruitment, transport, and smuggling efforts to the Russian state, based on information gathered by special services.
Individuals are reportedly recruited from countries like Somalia, Eritrea, Yemen, and Ethiopia, flown to Russia with the assistance of “one of the Arab countries,” and then make their way to Belarus, Tusk claimed.
Securing the border with Belarus completely is crucial, according to Tusk.
The Russian government did not respond to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
