Poland launches military operation on the Belarusian border
In 2 weeks, Poland intends to launch Operation Safe Podlasie, which will involve about 17,000 troops.
Main theses:
- Poland intends to launch a military operation called “Safe Podlasie” on the border with Belarus, involving 17,000 troops.
- The operation has had a positive effect on the border: the number of illegal crossing attempts has decreased, and joint measures are being taken with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prevent illegal border crossings.
- Poland raises defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2025, responding to Russia’s war against Ukraine and calling on allies to spend more.
What is known about Poland’s new military operation
This information was officially confirmed on July 17 by the head of the Polish Defense Ministry, Władysław Kosiniak-Komisz.
At a press conference with Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, Kosiniak-Komisz said, among other things, that the decision to introduce a buffer zone on the border with Belarus has had a positive effect: the number of attempts to cross the border and the number of crossings has decreased.
The 18th Mechanized Division will be responsible for the operation.
The Defense Minister added that police officers, including those who participated in the mission in Kosovo, were sent to train soldiers at the border.
The minister also assured that anyone who offends Polish army soldiers and officers defending the Polish border in any way will be held accountable.
In his turn, Semonyak said that the number of attempts to illegally cross the border has been halved.
This is a very concrete result due to the fact that we have pushed smugglers away from the border itself.
Minister of the Interior of Poland, Tomasz Siemoniak
Semoniak said that, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, measures are being taken to ensure that citizens of the countries from which illegal migrants come are aware that their planned crossing of the Polish-Belarusian border is a crime.
We are also constantly putting political pressure on Belarus to abandon this procedure.
The minister noted that Poland also demands that Belarus cooperate in the investigation to find the killer of a Polish soldier who died after being wounded at the border.
Poland increases defense spending
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski says Poland plans to increase its defense spending to 5% of GDP in 2025 amid Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Sikorsky noted that former U.S. President Donald Trump “was right when he insisted that allies should spend more money.”
At the same time, he said, Poland plans to spend about 4% of GDP this year before increasing spending further.
Sikorsky emphasized that costs should not be the only measure. For example, Iceland, a NATO member, has a small defense budget but plays an important role in allowing allies to refuel their aircraft. And Poland sent troops to Afghanistan to help the United States when it was needed, even when it was still spending less than 2% on defense.
We are no longer in perpetual peace after the Cold War. But the alliance is not a neighborhood security company.
