Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Poland that any “aggression” against ally Belarus will be treated as an attack on Russia. Poland had decided to strengthen its eastern border in response to Belarus accepting soldiers from the Russian private military company Wagner.
“An aggression against Belarus means an aggression against Russia,” Putin said at a televised meeting of the Security Council on Thursday. Noting that Belarus and Russia have long been allies, he said, “Russia will respond to this with all available means.”
It’s not the first time Russia has made threats to Poland, and Mr Putin’s remarks could exacerbate tensions between Russia and Europe. Poland, one of Ukraine’s biggest donors, but also a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has never shown a willingness to take unilateral and unjustified military action.
Poland has announced an increase in its military presence near the Belarusian border and the establishment of a new defense structure in the region. Polish officials have previously warned that Wagner’s entry into Belarus and Belarus’ support of migrants crossing the Polish border were part of Russia’s plan to attack Europe, warning of a new phase of a “hybrid warfare”.
At a meeting of the Security Council, the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Naryshkin reported that Russia had learned that Poland plans to control western Ukraine under a mutual defense pact with Ukraine and Lithuania. However, no evidence was presented. Russia has repeatedly made similar unsubstantiated allegations that Poland wants to take control of parts of Ukraine.
news-rsf-original-reference paywall">Original title:Putin Warns Poland Over ‘Aggression’ Against Ally Belarus (1)(excerpt)
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2023-07-21 16:33:00
