Expert on difference between Belarus’, Poland’s foreign policies

The Foreign Ministry of Poland recently summoned Aleksei Ponkratenko, the temporary chargé d'affaires of the Republic of Belarus in Warsaw in connection with what they described as ‘aggressive actions’ of Belarusian special services towards Polish diplomats and handed him a protest note. Additionally, the Polish Foreign Ministry announced their priorities for the country’s upcoming presidency over the EU in the first six months of 2025. Those include supporting and expanding sanctions, strengthening their border with Belarus, and raising resources for their Eastern Shield initiative. Aleksandr Osenko, the Director General of Stolichnoye TV JSC, talked to Alfa Radio about how long this aggressive rhetoric is going to last.

Peaceful Belarus

“We are opening our borders, while Poland and the Baltic States are closing theirs. Look at the border checkpoints: it’s a veritable disaster there. Seems like they are scared their people are going to see what is really happening in Belarus. But Poles and people from the Baltics still come to us and see we are peaceful. They see we have lights on, that no bears are roaming the streets, and that we are not starving under sanctions. They go back home and tell that to their compatriots. On top of that, our colleagues from the Belarusian TV and Radio Company (Belteleradiocompany) are actively targeting Poland in their broadcasts. They have Poles who now live in Belarus working for them. The message they convey is that Belarus is friendly toward the Polish people,” Mr. Osenko said.

Stoking tensions

He added further, “The political elites earn money on that ‘golden wall’, the buffer zone. They don’t care that common people in that buffer zone in Poland have their tourist businesses and their trade relations ruined. Their elites do everything to make their people’s lives worse. Why don’t they focus on the flood that hit the south of Poland, on their citizens’ needs, instead of neglecting their national interests for the sake of the fleeting benefits that beating the war drums bring them this very moment? Throughout its history, Poland had been aggressive towards other Slavic nations. Maybe they're dreaming of bringing Rzeczpospolita back, but it’s not a good look for them."

I think deploying tactical nuclear weapons and Oreshnik systems in Belarus is going to cool their heads. They are driving up tensions on their side, but they should think twice before trying anything, because there are no red lines for our President save for the border of the Republic of Belarus. They know how resolute the Belarusian leader is and how fiercely he defends our national interests. That’s why I think it’s really just a money issue. Their defence lobby is stoking tensions.

Scary stories about Belarus

“Polish elites are telling tall tales about our intelligence services lurking on every street corner trying to recruit everyone and so on. But their bloggers come over, and no one pays them any mind. Yes, they initially feel reluctant to come, being under the effect of propaganda broadcast all over Poland. But once they are here, they are free to go wherever they like and feel surprised at how clean and neat everything is. Some Poles were astounded by our new retail stores where everything is automated and filled with light. You come in, take everything you need, and pay with your bank card. There are no store clerks, no cashiers, that’s how safe it is in Belarus. It’s all extremely surprising for them. They go back to Poland to tell that to people and say we are a friendly country interested in peace. We don’t want tensions and don’t expand our attack arsenal. In my opinion, their war lobby is behind all that. They are using their own people to earn money", the expert concluded.

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