Фото: МИД Польши
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will initiate démarches to Belarus and Russia in connection with the recent railway sabotage incidents. Yesterday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that two Ukrainian citizens suspected of involvement had left Poland via Belarus. Today, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski confirmed that appropriate diplomatic steps will be taken, while noting he does not expect cooperation from the Belarusian side.
“Let’s be reasonable and mature. We know the nature of the Belarusian regime — a regime that imprisons thousands of people, including our compatriots. This regime is also refusing to hand over the perpetrator of the confirmed killing of a Polish soldier at the border. So we must do what we must. Perhaps someday Belarusian or Russian authorities will change their stance. Procedures must be followed, but you know what the chances are,” Sikorski said.
He also reiterated that the issue of extraditing the migrant who fatally stabbed Polish soldier Mateusz Sitek on the Belarusian border is raised during every official contact.
“This issue is now raised in every contact between officials — not only between Poland and Belarus — but the result is what it is,” he added.
Radosław Sikorski was also asked whether the railway sabotage incidents could influence the recent reopening of two border crossings with Belarus, “Kuźnica” and “Bobrowniki.”
“The decision was taken earlier,” the minister replied.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk first announced the imminent reopening of the crossings at the end of October. Later, government representatives admitted that the decision was postponed out of solidarity with Lithuania, which had temporarily closed its own border with Belarus after smugglers’ weather-balloon incursions. Ultimately, the Polish checkpoints reopened on 17 November. Donald Tusk justified the move by the needs of residents in the border Podlaskie region, denying any link to political negotiations with Minsk.