Belarus blockade to have immediate economic impact – Polish police official

July 31, BPN. Maciej Wąsik, a deputy interior minister, is expecting a possible blockade of Belarus have “an immediate economic impact” on the Alaksandar Łukašenka regime.

Poland is considering closing its border with Belarus completely and intends to discuss the move with Lithuania and Latvia, said Maciej Wąsik, a deputy interior minister, has told Polskie Radio.

He noted that the blockade would “Łukašenka understands only cold brutal force. I think we should think of full isolation of Belarus,” he said.

He pointed out that Wagner Group mercenaries stationed in Belarus outnumbered the entire Lithuanian army, and that the purpose of their presence is unclear.

“When it comes to security at the border with Belarus, the government should take into consideration the worst-case scenario,” he stressed.

His remarks come days after Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński said that Warsaw might cut off all links to Belarus over security risks.

Poland announced last week that over 100 Russian mercenaries were heading toward Hrodna, a major Belarusian city at the border with Poland. The move may be “a step towards a further hybrid attack on Polish territory,” according to Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Wagner Group mercenaries have been regularly arriving in Belarus since mid-July. Their numbers are estimated to be between 3,500 and 5,000.