Poland Plans To Reopen Two Border Crossings With Belarus

Poland announced plans to reopen two border crossings with Belarus, which closed in September, following Russian-led military exercises in the country and the entry of 21 Moscow drones into Polish airspace.

In a draft decision on Thursday evening, Poland's Interior Ministry said border crossings in Bobrowniki would be opened to passenger cars and trucks registered in the European Union, EFTA countries, and Switzerland, and Kuznica Bialostocka for passenger cars only, from 17 November.

"The planned activities aim to restore the flow of people and goods, which is a response to expectations, especially a large group of businessmen, operators, and people traveling to work from Belarus to Poland," the ministry said.

Earlier, Warsaw on October 30 said they might delay reopening the crossing with Belarus, Russia's close ally, until at least mid-November to show solidarity with fellow NATO member Lithuania amid growing security concerns.

Lithuania closed its land border with Belarus at the end of October due to airspace disruptions due to balloon smuggling and said it would close it until the end of November.

It is known that relations between Poland and Belarus that have been strained have reached their lowest point since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.