Poland has deployed troops to its borders with Germany and Lithuania as part of new border control measures extending until April 2026. The move is in response to rising illegal immigration concerns, with nearly 25,000 attempted crossings recorded on the Polish-Belarusian border this year. President Karol Nawrocki has ordered the deployment, citing the need to monitor migration routes through Poland to Western Europe.
The decision to reintroduce border controls follows a broader trend of increasing security measures across the European Union, which has been dealing with a refugee crisis since 2015. The crisis has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has led to a significant influx of refugees into the region. Poland, along with Germany and Lithuania, are all members of the Schengen area, a border-free travel zone. However, in late 2023, Germany availed itself of a provision that allows nations to temporarily reinstate border checks in emergency situations.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski has stated that the extended border controls will focus on monitoring the migration route leading from the Baltic states, through Poland, to Western Europe. Authorities in Poland have estimated that since the start of this year alone, nearly 25,000 attempted illegal crossings had been registered on the Polish-Belarusian border. Another 500 foreigners, along with 60 suspected human traffickers, were caught trying to enter from Lithuania. The measures were initially introduced in early July and have now been extended until April 4, 2026.
Poland has accused German authorities of ‘dumping’ thousands of migrants on its border, a claim that has been met with denial from Berlin. Since 2021, Poland has repeatedly accused Belarus of orchestrating the flow of illegal immigrants into EU states. Both Minsk and Moscow have denied these allegations, maintaining that they are not involved in any such activities. The situation has further strained relations between EU members, with concerns over border security and migration management becoming a pressing issue in European politics.
The extended border controls and troop deployment signal a growing emphasis on national security and migration management within the EU. As the refugee crisis continues to pose challenges, the actions taken by Poland and its neighbors highlight the need for coordinated efforts to address the influx of migrants, while also balancing the principles of free movement and open borders within the Schengen area.