Warsaw detects shifting migration routes after tightening its eastern border
Poland has observed an unexpected rise in migrants entering the country from Western Europe, according to Polish Ambassador to Germany Jan Tombinski. Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, he said the Polish Border Guard had identified “a new phenomenon” emerging in recent days: asylum seekers who previously attempted to obtain protection elsewhere in the EU are now crossing into Poland from its western frontier. He noted that the numbers are not in the thousands but are significant enough that Warsaw must reassess its asylum procedures. Cooperation with German police, he added, remains strong, with joint teams working to identify individuals and prevent unlawful border crossings. The remarks were made as Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on broader European security concerns linked to regional instability.
Crisis echoes earlier hybrid pressure from Belarus
The shift in migration patterns comes against the backdrop of the 2021 crisis, when the Belarusian regime orchestrated a large-scale influx of migrants to the borders of Poland and Lithuania. Authorities in Minsk facilitated travel for people from Iraq, Syria and African states, directing them toward the EU frontier in a form of hybrid coercion designed to retaliate for sanctions imposed after the fraudulent 2020 elections and subsequent repression. The episode resulted in a humanitarian emergency and became a defining example of how migration flows can be weaponized to destabilize Europe. Poland and Lithuania responded with reinforced border security measures, while the EU condemned Belarus for using migrants as a tool of political pressure and imposed further sanctions.
Germany–Poland border controls fuel political debate
The latest developments also intersect with long-running tensions over border management within the EU. Germany reinstated temporary checks along its border with Poland in September 2023, citing increased irregular migration and efforts to curb human smuggling. Warsaw responded in July 2025 by introducing its own controls, stressing that their removal depended on Berlin’s decisions. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has repeatedly affirmed Poland’s commitment to the principles of Schengen but argued that border measures were necessary to maintain security in light of German actions.
Poland resists mandatory relocation but calls for shared responsibility
Warsaw acknowledges the need for a coordinated EU migration policy but opposes compulsory redistribution mechanisms for asylum seekers. Officials underscore that Poland has already accepted millions of Ukrainian refugees since 2022, describing this as its principal contribution to European solidarity. Poland continues to reject relocation schemes involving migrants from Africa or the Middle East, warning of additional security challenges and insisting that support for Ukraine must remain the priority.
Safeguarding the EU’s eastern frontier remains Poland’s priority
Polish authorities stress that their foremost responsibility is to protect the EU’s eastern border from hybrid operations orchestrated from Minsk and Moscow. At the same time, they are willing to cooperate with partners on humanitarian support and border security. This stance signals a pragmatic balance: Poland supports EU unity but resists new obligations that could strain national capacity or undermine its security posture.
Tombinski’s remarks seen as a diplomatic signal to Brussels
The ambassador’s comments serve as a reminder that Poland faces its own pressures within evolving migration patterns and expects EU institutions to factor these constraints into future policy decisions. By highlighting operational challenges on the western border, Warsaw positions itself to argue against mandatory quotas or new redistribution frameworks. The message to Brussels is clear: any reforms must reflect real conditions on the ground and respect member states’ resource limitations.
Russia may exploit divisions as EU debates migration
The emerging situation presents opportunities for Moscow to deepen divisions within the EU. Russian influence operations have frequently sought to amplify discord over migration, portraying Europe as unable to control its borders or manage internal disagreements. Hybrid tactics—ranging from information campaigns to indirect manipulation of flows via Belarus—could intensify pressure on Poland and other member states. Such approaches align with earlier efforts to strain European cohesion and weaken support for Ukraine.
Poland faces domestic and regional challenges as flows evolve
A new wave of migrants arriving from Western Europe adds complexity to Poland’s border management and asylum system. The government must strike a delicate balance between solidarity with EU partners and its own security imperatives. The trend also reinforces the need for enhanced coordination across EU border services, improved information sharing and updated frameworks that reflect the multidirectional nature of migration in Europe today.
