NATO Backs Poland, Lithuania in Border Crisis with Belarus

Nov. 13, 2021 (EIRNS)—Is there a risk that the border crisis between Poland and Belarus might get NATO-ized, so to speak? The North Atlantic Council issued a statement yesterday fully backing Poland and Lithuania against Belarus. “The North Atlantic Council strongly condemns the continued instrumentalization of irregular migration artificially created by Belarus as part of hybrid actions targeted against Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia for political purposes,” it declared. “NATO Allies stand in solidarity with Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and other Allied nations affected, and support measures, guided by fundamental values and applicable international law, taken by Allies individually and collectively, in response to a situation that requires close coordination with key international partners.”

“We will remain vigilant against the risk of further escalation and provocation by Belarus at its borders with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, and will continue to monitor the implications for the security of the Alliance,” it concluded. “NATO Allies call on Belarus to cease these actions, to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to abide by international law.”

The Poles were absolutely giddy in response to the NATO statement, like something out of a “Three Musketeers” movie. “All 30 allies on the Polish, Latvian and Lithuanian side, one for all, all for one ... Polish diplomacy continues its activities,” Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz gushed on Twitter with a link to the NATO statement.