The two-week closure of the Belarusian-Polish border ended with the resumption of traffic. In his talk with SB TV, the Chairman of the Standing Commission on Human Rights, National Relations and Mass Media of the House of Representatives, Doctor of Military Sciences, Professor, Colonel Nikolai Buzin, explained why Warsaw had backed down, despite its initial defiant tone.
Photo: video screenshot
The expert explained that Poles had simply calculated their transit losses generated by the closure of the checkpoints, “This also includes 100,000 jobs. In today's conditions, when Europe is going through a crisis, Poles have a huge advantage: it is the proximity of their country to Belarus, which ensures a serious flow of goods. Many people and financial investments into the economy depend on transit, so – by closing the border – Poland cut its own revenue that had been earlier included in the budget.”
Mr. Buzin noted that the calculations had showed the disadvantage of closing borders, “After calculating the losses attentively, it was realised that the decision had been unprofitable. Internationally, there is a trade between the United States, China and Europe. The latter is trying to prove its independence, but cannot. After the border was closed, trade flows went by the Northern Sea Route and through the Mediterranean Sea. Actually, if there is a demand, there will be a supply, so someone else will easily replace those who decide to throw themselves out of the chain.”
“This demonstration of ‘greatness’ is not profitable for Poland,” the expert added. “It’s actually part of their mentality: to show the importance, but then to step aside. Prime Minister Donald Tusk backed off because everything depends on money. Tusk expresses the interests not only of Europe, but primarily of Germany. I would very much like this to be a reasonable decision by the Polish government. It would be good for people not to have these borders at all.”
