“Understanding the difficult situation on the Belarusian-Polish border, we continue to strengthen the country's security.

It cannot be ruled out that the migration destabilization project may be extended to the Ukrainian-Belarusian border.

That is why we have to prepare for any scenario, ”the Prime Minister of Ukraine Dzyanis Shmyhal said at the government meeting.

Most of the funds (175 million hryvnia) will receive the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs - the State Border Service and the National Guard, the rest - the Ministry of Defense.

It is envisaged that part of this finance will be directed to the purchase of barbed wire for installation at the border.

“We are witnessing an aggravation of the situation on the Belarusian border.

Today's decision of the government will allow to quickly strengthen vulnerable areas of the border and prevent the flow of illegal migration from the territory of the Republic of Belarus.

The security of citizens, protection of territories and ensuring the sustainable development of the country remain the key priorities of the government, ”the press service of the government quoted the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Volha Sviridenko.

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine together with the forces of the National Guard, the National Police and the Armed Forces on the border with Belarus have been conducting a special operation "Polesie" since November 23 to prevent the movement of migrants to its territory.

What preceded

After the beginning of the migration crisis on the border of Belarus with Poland, Ukraine announced its intention to strengthen the protection of its border with Belarus.

On November 10, President Vladimir Zelensky held a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council.

It identified the 10 most likely parts of the border where a mass stay of migrants is possible.

At the same time, Ukraine has begun consultations with its foreign partners on strengthening security at its country's borders due to the concentration of Russian troops nearby and the simultaneous migration crisis created by Belarus.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a briefing in Brussels on November 15 following a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleb that migration issues on the border with Europe and the concentration of Russian troops near Ukraine should be considered as a whole.

On November 19, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Denis Monastyrsky stated that the migration crisis on the border between Belarus and European countries could worsen at any moment.

He said that 15 helicopters, 2 planes, 44 drones, as well as reserves of the National Guard and the National Police were sent to guard the border.

  • Elena Litvinova

    Radio Liberty correspondent in Kyiv

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