Vladimir Putin warns Poland that an attack on Belarus is equal to attacking Russia as Poland deployed additional troops to its border.
Without providing evidence, the Russian president claimed that Poland had ambitions to seize parts of Ukraine and Belarus that were once part of its territory.
He further stated, “But Belarus is a part of the Union State. Unleashing aggression against Belarus will mean aggression against the Russian Federation. We will respond to this with all the means at our disposal.”
Responding to the situation, Poland dispatched 1,000 extra soldiers to its border with Belarus due to the presence of Wagner mercenaries in new camps, training Belarusian special forces.
In light of these developments, Lithuania also requested additional support from NATO, while Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky sent more troops to its northern border.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki emphasized the need for vigilance, accusing Minsk and Moscow of collaborating to destabilize Eastern Europe.
According to a senior Wagner commander, approximately 10,000 mercenaries are expected to enter Belarusian camps in the coming weeks as part of a peace deal following their rebellion in June.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has positioned nuclear missiles in Belarus, marking the first time it has placed its deadliest weapon outside Russia since the Nineties.
Putin’s accusations and concerns amid tensions with Poland and Ukraine
However, Putin disregarded this military build-up and instead expressed concern about Poland’s desire to reclaim its pre-Second World War borders, which included western Ukraine.
“This is a very dangerous game, and the authors of such plans should think about their consequences,” he warned.
The statement has raised apprehensions about a potential “red flag” incident by Russia, potentially providing an excuse for an attack.
While Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has kept his forces out of the Ukraine conflict, Russia utilized Belarus as a launchpad for its invasion last year and employs its military bases to train Russian army recruits.