Poland has extended restrictions at its border with Belarus
On May 21, a new 60-day extension of temporary restrictions on applying for international protection at the border with Belarus took effect in Poland. These restrictions limit migrants’ right to apply for international protection while crossing the Polish-Belarusian border. The Polish authorities have once again extended these measures.
The Polish government claims that the grounds for imposing the restriction remain valid: migration is still being used as a tool that poses a threat to national security.
The restriction, which took effect on March 27, 2025, can be extended with the Sejm’s approval, and this has already happened six times.
From the time of its introduction until April 21, 2026, Poland has not accepted applications for protection from 475 foreigners, while 127 people from “vulnerable groups” were able to submit applications.
The restriction does not apply, in particular, to unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, and individuals requiring special treatment due to age or health condition. The Border Guard may also accept an application if it determines that the person in question faces serious danger in the country from which they arrived in Poland.
As a reminder, Russiahas announced the delivery of nuclear munitions to Belarus.
The Center for Strategic and Defense Studies identified three main objectives of the Russian-Belarusian nuclear exercises
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation officially announced the start of large-scale military exercises involving strategic nuclear forces, which will take place from May 19 to 21, 2026.
Ukraine reacted sharply to the joint nuclear exercises of Russia and Belarus, stating that they violate international treaties and pose a threat to global security. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Moscow is effectively turning Belarus into a nuclear springboard near NATO’s borders.
