Poland brands Belarus a hostile Nation
Warsaw’s response to Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s appeal to heal fences between two countries was conflicting.
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski stated on Saturday that Belarus must abide by a number of Poland’s criteria in order for the two nations to repair their relationship. The comments were made in response to Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s appeal for stronger connections between the two countries.
With regard to Lukashenko’s claims, Jablonski voiced scepticism, asserting that the conversation was really “empty talk.”
“Attacks on the Polish border are currently taking place as we speak. Once again, we hear remarks like these with no basis to back them up, Jablonski told the local media.
The deputy minister asserted that neither Poland nor anybody else was responsible for Belarus’s current situation. The ambassador continued, laying out a list of requirements for Minsk to meet, saying that if Belarus was genuinely “serious” about healing relations, then the solution was actually very “simple.”
Andrzej Poczobut, a Polish-Belarusian journalist and activist who was imprisoned earlier this year for eight years on extremism accusations, and more than a thousand political prisoners should be freed, Jablonski demanded. He was also alluding to the attack on the country’s border. In addition, the ambassador said Minsk should end its purportedly continuous “campaign of hatred, attacks, and this hybrid war against Poland.”
On Friday, Lukashenko declared his willingness to repair relations with the EU and Warsaw in particular, referring to Poles as “our people, the Slavs,” rather than as some “stupid” people. According to the president, Poland has only been acting on behalf of the US and “aggravating” the situation between the two nations.
Following the 2020 presidential elections, the outcome of which was challenged by the opposition and resulted in widespread demonstrations, the already complex ties between Belarus and its Western neighbours substantially worsened. The EU publicly backed Lukashenko’s foes, with Poland emerging as one of their most ardent backers.
There are indications that the already fragile relations have been further harmed by the ongoing crisis between Ukraine and Russia, Belarus’ primary ally. Poland has responded furiously to Belarus’ current hosting of Russian nuclear weapons and has recently raised concerns about the suspected operations of the Wagner Group private military business several times.
After their failed uprising in late June, the Russian PMC was ultimately sent to Belarus. PM Mateusz Morawiecki stated that the reported operations of the PMC close to the border frightened the Polish government and were “undoubtedly a step towards an upcoming hybrid attack on Polish territory.” Lukashenko said Warsaw had “gone mad” over Wagner rumours, and Minsk had rejected such assertions.