Poland and Baltic states want 700 km defense line on border with Russia, Belarus

Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have sent a letter to the EU, which will be discussed at a summit in Brussels. The leaders of the four countries, which share borders with Russia and Belarus, stated that the project aimed at protecting the 27-country bloc with 450 million inhabitants would also require financial support from all members.

"Building a defence infrastructure system along the EU external border with Russia and Belarus will address the dire and urgent need to secure the EU from military and hybrid threats," the letter reads.

Hybrid threats refer to a combination of military and non-military, as well as covert and overt means, including disinformation, cyberattacks, economic pressure, and the transfer of migrants across borders.

The leaders of the four EU countries believe that the construction of the defense line should be coordinated with NATO. According to the publication, the project involves building a 700-kilometer defense line. Some EU diplomats estimate the construction cost at 2.5 billion euros.

European defense investments are expected to be one of the main topics for discussion by EU leaders at the summit.

Situation on Belarus-Poland border

Poland has previously started strengthening its border with Belarus. This was primarily due to the migration crisis, where thousands of illegal migrants attempted to cross into Poland from Belarus. Another reason is the deployment of Russian troops, including Wagner forces, on Belarusian territory.

Earlier, Poland announced the construction of a new military unit 35 kilometers from the border with Belarus.

Recently, Warsaw also announced the construction of modern fortifications on its eastern border.