The United States has stated that the presence of Wagner Group fighters in Belarus does not pose a threat to Poland or other NATO members, according to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. He mentioned that the US is closely monitoring the situation but is not aware of any specific threat from Wagner against Poland or other NATO allies. Kirby emphasized that while the US is committed to Article 5 of the NATO charter, there is currently no evidence that Wagner poses a threat to the alliance.
This statement comes after Poland recently deployed 1,000 troops to its border with Belarus, citing reports of Wagner’s presence near the Suwalki Gap. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki had claimed that the arrival of over a hundred Wagner fighters in Grodno was a step towards an upcoming hybrid attack on Polish territory.
In response, Warsaw has announced plans to nearly double the size of Poland’s military, increasing the number of troops from 172,000 to 300,000. Deputy Marshal of the Polish Senate, Michal Kaminski, stated that any Wagner fighters who invade Poland will have to deal with American troops and will be sent back in coffins.
It is worth noting that Wagner experienced a failed mutiny at the end of June, during which they turned their guns on the Russian military. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko helped negotiate a deal in which the private military company would stand down.
According to Kirby, the US believes that some Wagner members have since moved to Africa, while some are likely still in Ukraine. The US also believes that some members have moved to Belarus.
President Lukashenko, during a visit to an agricultural commune near the Polish border, denied any plans to attack Poland. He stated that he had heard about Poland’s concerns over Wagner’s presence but clarified that no Wagner unit was deployed in Grodno or Brest. Lukashenko mentioned that his previous comments about Wagnerites wanting to “go on tour” in Warsaw were meant as a lighthearted reference to Poland’s role as a major hub for NATO’s effort to supply Ukraine with weapons and ammunition.
In conclusion, the US does not consider the presence of Wagner Group fighters in Belarus a threat to Poland or other NATO members at this time. However, tensions have risen between Poland and Belarus, leading Poland to increase its military presence and express a strong stance against any potential invasion by Wagner fighters. Belarus has denied any plans to attack Poland and President Lukashenko has emphasized that his previous comments were meant as a joke.
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