Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of Belarus A.Glaz comments on the application by Poland of new restrictions on the Belarusian-Polish border

We have previously stated that the Polish government keeps creating more and more hindrances and inhumane conditions for citizens of Belarus and Poland as well as shipping companies of the entire Eurasian space. The Polish government bears all the blame for inhumane consequences of such steps. This is why the justified indignation of entrepreneurs and citizens of Poland in bordering areas is completely understandable.

We can see and have repeatedly stated, that the Duda-Morawiecki regime is systematically implementing a set of anti-Belarusian steps. They are aimed at provoking complications and escalation, including in the entire region. This is why we anticipated yet another manipulation of border crossing regulations. Decisions of the Polish government also indicate that basic human rights, including the right to the freedom of movement, mean nothing for them. 

An asymmetric response will definitely follow these steps. We will do our best to take into account interests of ordinary Poles, who are forced to suffer due to voluntarism of their government, and interests of our citizens.
Belarus is a responsible actor in its region and has no intention of falling for these provocations. Belarus will respond calmly and with dignity instead.

The Polish Foreign Minister's statement in the Sejm about "proposals made to the Belarusian authorities aimed at increasing the room for political manoeuvre" does not correspond to reality. In recent years, the Polish leadership has only put forward ultimatums that are inherently unacceptable to any self-respecting sovereign state and has tried to interfere directly in the judicial system and other internal affairs of the Republic of Belarus. Any attempts at blackmail and pressure against independent Belarus will be doomed to failure.

For the last few years the standard choice of Poland's foreign policy tools has included 

• preparation and recruitment of paramilitary forces on the territory of Poland to carry out terrorist acts in the Republic of Belarus; 

• maintenance, at the expense of ordinary Polish citizens, of structures that overt aims are violent change of government in Belarus; 

• elimination of refugees and migrants from southern countries who crossed Poland into Europe; 

• building razor wire fences worth $0.5 billion at the expense of Polish taxpayers to stop people and wild animals in Belovezhskaya Pushcha; 

• the worsening of transit conditions for pan-Eurasian transit shipments:

• direct participation in the war on the side of the Kiev regime.

Against the backdrop of this ‘civilized' choice representatives of the Polish government say that ‘Poland is a window into the world for Belarus'. It seems that the Duda-Morawiecki regime puts so much faith into its exclusiveness and impunity that it openly talks about its supremacy and is incapable of having a dialogue with neighbors. It is a very dangerous trend.

Let’s make it clear that there have been no masters in Belarus since 1917 and there will be none. 

The Belarusian side is ready for a mutually respectful dialogue with the Polish side without ultimatums and preconditions and will look into genuine proposals aimed at de-escalation and mutually beneficial resolution of pressing issues.