Poland Considers Halting the Transport of Goods Through Belarus

Poland is contemplating halting the transport of goods through Belarus unless relations between the two countries "normalize," stated Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna in an interview with Radio Zet on July 22.

According to Szejna, Poland has outlined specific conditions for Belarus to achieve normalization, including ceasing hybrid attacks, releasing the perpetrator responsible for the death of a Polish soldier, and freeing imprisoned Poles. On May 28, a border guard was stabbed with a makeshift spear through the fence separating Poland and Belarus. The incident allegedly occurred during an attempt by a migrant to illegally cross the border.

The deputy minister emphasized that failure to meet these conditions could lead Poland to suspend goods transportation through Belarus, a decision he acknowledged would be unfavorable for the Polish government.

He added that Poland is seriously weighing this option, and Belarus is aware of the potential consequences.

Szejna also commented that Belarus openly collaborates with Russia and demonstrates hostility towards Ukraine, thereby constraining "Poland's range of responses against such a state."

Since 2021, Warsaw has accused Belarus of deliberately directing migrants towards Poland as a tactic to pressure the EU over sanctions. Tensions between Poland and Belarus have escalated further following Belarus's support for Russia during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.