Poland will invest about 10 billion zlotys (over $2.5 billion) to increase security and deterrence measures along its border with Russia and its ally Belarus, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced today, quoted by Associated Press and BTA.
Tusk announced that work on the "Shield-East" project, which includes the construction of suitable military fortifications, is already underway. Poland is on the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union, and Tusk stressed that it bears additional responsibility for Europe's security.
"We have decided to invest in our security, and above all in a safe eastern border, about 10 billion zlotys," Tusk said.
"We are starting a large-scale project to build a secure border, including a system of fortifications, as well as terrain shaping and environmental solutions that will make the border impenetrable to a potential enemy,'' the prime minister said.
"We undertook these works to make Poland's border safe in peacetime and impregnable to the enemy in wartime," he added.
Tusk made the announcement to Polish soldiers in Krakow, southern Poland, at a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory over the Nazis at the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy during World War II.
Poland's previous right-wing government built a $400 million wall along the border with Belarus to stop a massive influx of migrants heading that way in 2021, but the current pro-EU cabinet says it needs to be strengthened .
Poland is a faithful ally of Ukraine in its defensive war against the Russian invasion, AP recalls.