The prospect of mercenaries from the Russian Wagner group moving to Belarus as part of the deal struck to end their mutiny has made Poland extra wary of its neighbour.

A border once marked by a few pillars and wooden look-out posts has already been transformed by miles of tall metal fencing, thermal cameras and spotlights.

They were installed after Belarus began encouraging thousands of migrants to cross into Poland two years ago in what Warsaw calls an act of hybrid warfare; Minsk and Moscow are close allies.

Ahead of this week's Nato summit in Lithuania, the Polish government has been warning that Wagner forces could be used to spark more trouble, so it's deploying hundreds of extra officers at its eastern border as reinforcements.

"The biggest threat is that our neighbour, Belarus, is completely unpredictable," Michal Bura of the local border guard explains, although all is calm as we talk - apart from swarms of vicious summer bugs in the wheat fields.

"We have to be ready for any developments. Maybe Wagner will be a problem, but no one really knows why they're going there or what they're preparing for."

 

FULL STORY

IMHO Belarus has more to worry about from Wagner than poland has, especially as they now have tactical Russian nukes.

 

But a good idea from Poland, just in case.

Poland now has the strongest military in Western Europe. Anybody messing with Poland will get a bloody nose.

14 minutes ago, Denim said:

Poland now has the strongest military in Western Europe. Anybody messing with Poland will get a bloody nose.

*Eastern Europe

55 minutes ago, eisfeld said:

*Eastern Europe

Russia and Turkey are also in Eastern Europe. 

 

Turkey may even have a stronger military than Poland.

Poland vs Turkey | Comparison military strength (armedforces.eu)

1 hour ago, eisfeld said:

*Eastern Europe

Shhhhhh ....keep your voice down. They like to think they are now more west than east.????

10 hours ago, LosLobo said:

Russia and Turkey are also in Eastern Europe. 

 

Turkey may even have a stronger military than Poland.

Poland vs Turkey | Comparison military strength (armedforces.eu)

Both though have only small parts within Europe. Most of Russia and Turkey is in Asia. Don't think most people would call Russians or Turks european. Though there is this weird thing with Turkey trying to be part of the EU which has stalled. They are also dancing on two weddings with Russia and EU.

4 hours ago, eisfeld said:

Both though have only small parts within Europe. Most of Russia and Turkey is in Asia. Don't think most people would call Russians or Turks european. Though there is this weird thing with Turkey trying to be part of the EU which has stalled. They are also dancing on two weddings with Russia and EU.

'Most people'?

 

I suggest, that there are many geographical, political, cultural and aspirational trade aspects to these divisions and any clear cut answer is not really possible.