Warsaw’s decision to deploy military troops on its Eastern border has sparked concerns and demands for increased attention from Russia and Belarus. The move comes as a response to the presence of Wagner Group mercenaries in Belarus, who are reportedly receiving training from Russian paramilitary group Wagner Group. The Polish Defence Ministry announced the deployment of troops to reinforce the country’s eastern border, which has raised concerns in Moscow.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Poland’s hostility towards Belarus and Russia requires extra attention, as it raises concerns for Moscow. The presence of Wagner Group mercenaries in Belarus, who are training the Belarusian special forces near the Polish border, has caused unease among neighboring countries.
In a video, Wagner Group leader Evgeny Prigozhin informed his troops that they would no longer participate in the Ukrainian conflict but instead train the Belarusian army in preparation for a “new journey to Africa.” Prigozhin expressed dissatisfaction with the situation in Ukraine and called it a disgrace that the group should not involve themselves in.
While the military exercises between Wagner and the Belarusian army are expected to last a week, Poland’s Defence Ministry has stated that they are prepared for different scenarios. The situation has prompted Russia and Belarus to work on a security concept for their Union States, which will reflect the rising tensions at the countries’ borders and the ongoing sanctions and information war against both nations.
According to Peskov, the previous parameters of the security concept are no longer relevant due to the changing external environment and the emergence of new threats. The concept aims to strengthen the mutual security guarantees between Russia and Belarus.
The situation in Eastern Europe continues to evolve, and the actions taken by Poland and the response from Russia and Belarus will have significant implications for the region’s security and stability.
Source: EURACTIV.pl