Prime Minister and Ministers on the Polish-Belarusian border

Prime minister Donald Tusk – Together with the deputy prime minister, head of the Ministry of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and boss Of the Ministry of Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak – arrived on Saturday to the border of Poland with Belarus. Government representatives took part, among others in the briefing with the commanding staff of the Polish Army, the Border Guard and the Police in Krynki (Podlasie).

At a press conference after the briefing, the prime minister announced that he had received a report, which confirms “at least the organizational and political patronage of the administration of the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko” over migration pressure to the Polish border. – We also know about Russian commitment, so we are dealing with a state machine, in addition to smuggling – said the head of government.

He said that he had received a report on subsequent detention of those who are involved in the smuggling of illegal immigrants. He added that they are international groups. He also emphasized that Polish services are quite effective at stopping smugglers.

– We have achieved 98 percent of the effectiveness of stops, i.e. 98 attempts to cross the border illegally are prevented thanks to the determined attitude of our soldiers, border guards and police – noted Tusk. At the same time, he emphasized that 11,000 people will serve on the border. He added that Poland spent PLN 2 billion 700 million on a barrier on the border.

– I am convinced that today there is really a national consensus around the security of the Polish border – said Tusk. He added that “everyone who makes it easier to cross the border illegally strikes directly at the security of the Polish border.”

– That is why the government, army, border guards, police will be determined here, we will all be determined and very tough – the prime minister announced.

He also mentioned a dam at the border with Belarus. – You see, these transverse reinforcements for the dam, all this means that we have more and more information, that smugglers are increasingly discouraged from using this Polish direction. Of course, we will also be more watching what is happening on the Polish -Lithuanian border, so that there are no streams of illegal crossings – said Tusk.

The Prime Minister argued that “we have a reason to be satisfied.” – Poland, thanks to the effort of especially our services and the army, really feels safe today – said the head of government.

– This is our basic duty: safe border, safety of our homeland. Soldiers of the Polish Army perform this mission from dawn to night, every day for 24 hours, all days a year. We are very proud of them – said the head of the Ministry of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

The minister said that by taking over the current government, the current government changed “the strategy of conduct on the border and the whole process, which is associated with the presence of the army.” – These are about 5,000 soldiers on the border, a thousand soldiers in reserve, at any time ready and 17,000 soldiers delegated to this operation. This is one of the largest operations in the history of Poland after 1989 – emphasized Kosiniak -Kamysz.

As he said, the law, which by critics “was announced as a license to kill”, gave soldiers “greater certainty of using weapons if necessary would occur.” – Those who spoke in this way were wrong, because the evidence shows completely differently that it was a good decision – said the minister.

The head of the Ministry of National Defense also mentioned ensuring comfort and safety during service, including Through individual equipment of soldiers and officers with “bulletproof vests, suitable clothes, footwear”.

He noted that a very important achievement of the current government is to guarantee “harmonious cooperation between the army and all services” subordinate to the Ministry of Interior and Administration. – This is a very important achievement. Here, cooperation is simply the key to success. Like unity, all of us in Poland regarding the East shield and a safe limit is a raison d'etat. Some do not understand this – said Kosiniak -Kamysz. – We are building the east shield, they prefer to play Russian roulette – he said, referring to the attitude of the right -wing opposition, which did not support the resolution on the safety of the Republic of Poland.

On Thursday, the Sejm adopted a resolution on the security of the Republic of Poland. The resolution supported the European Parliament resolution of March 12 on strengthening EU defense and it was considered that one of its provisions regarding the East Target program is particularly important.

The CIR announcement was reported that the electronic dam on the Polish-Belarusian border on the sections of the Istoczanka and Świsłocz rivers in the province. Podlasie is already working. Over 500 columns and 1.3 thousand were installed. cameras. “The barrier was created on a section of about 47 km. The investment cost over PLN 85 million. At the end of December 2024, the modernization of a fixed barrier on the border for over PLN 117 million was completed. Additional reinforcements and wire were installed,” CIR said.

In December 2024 – as reminded – Council of Ministers adopted a draft amendment to the Act, which will enable the suspension of the right to submit asylum applications by persons illegally crossing the border. He is waiting for the president's signature. It is about the amendment to the Act on providing protection to foreigners in the territory of the Republic of Poland, on which the Parliament finished on March 13. The amendment assumes the possibility of introducing a temporary, territorial limitation of the right to submit an application for international protection.

CIR emphasized that Poland is still dealing with growing migration pressure, and recently the illegal attempts to cross the border have intensified, used as a tool of hybrid war led by Russia and Belarus.