Ryzhankou and Khrenin Assess Prospects for Improved Relations With Poland

Reform.news Editorial Team · 12 October 2026, 07:40

https://reform.news/en/ryzhankou-and-khrenin-assess-prospects-for-improved-relations-with-poland/

Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhankou hopes for an improvement in relations with Poland. Defence Minister Viktar Khrenin has warned the neighbouring country about military risks. The Belarusian television programme “Glavny Efir” covered the subject in this way when reporting on a meeting between the foreign ministers of Belarus and Poland held more than a week ago.

“Well, I hope so,” Ryzhankou replied when asked whether relations with Poland would improve.

“The discussion was very substantive, focused on issues rather than mutual grievances. There were no mutual grievances at all, because both we and the Poles understand that we need to move forward. I would say it is very good that this meeting took place. It was very timely. The issues we discussed are, in fact, highly relevant to both our countries,” he continued.

According to Ryzhankou, the Polish blogosphere reacted positively to his meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.

“We analysed the Polish blogosphere and looked at how the Polish public viewed this. Around 80% were, essentially, almost unanimously pleased that political signals had begun to emerge from both sides, suggesting that relations were starting to normalise. Everyone is waiting for this. People in Poland are waiting for it, and people in Belarus are waiting for it too.

“But let me remind you that we were not the first to impose sanctions, we were not the ones who closed the border crossings, and we were not the ones who ended cooperation between all the security agencies responsible for protecting our border. That is why I said we are ready to restore relations, resume trade cooperation and step up interaction at the border. The Polish side can already see this. And, essentially, there is nothing they can reproach us for,” Ryzhankou said.

However, the programme’s presenters immediately went on to criticise Poland for establishing new military units in voivodeships bordering Belarus. They then played a recording of remarks by Defence Minister Viktar Khrenin.

“We are trying to establish a dialogue so that the worst does not happen. A small conflict could escalate into a major one. That is why we are keeping watch, staying alert, preparing our armed forces and the state’s military organisation, and preparing our people and our nation so that, if necessary, as the president has said, we will not give up a single inch of our land to anyone and will all stand up to defend it,” he said.