Buffer zone as a method of protecting the Polish state border

Abstract

The ongoing crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border since the summer of 2021 determines the significant involvement of Polish services. Due to the deliberate actions of the Belarusian authorities, the Polish state is forced to make special efforts aimed at protecting the state border. The authorities in Minsk deliberately escalate tensions by using migrants from Africa and the Middle East. Due to the ensuing crisis in Poland, a state of emergency was introduced in the Polish-Belarusian border area in September 2021, which was then informally maintained until the end of June 2022. Although the situation was relatively stabilised, tensions increased in spring 2024, leading the Council of Ministers to decide to introduce a so-called buffer zone.