Ukraine prepares for exercises on Belarusian border

The head of the National Police, Ihor Klymenko,
chaired a meeting in Rivne Oblast on Nov. 17 dedicated to the situation on
Ukraine’s border with Belarus, and in particular the area where that border
also meets Poland. Klymenko stated that the border is currently under control
and he asked the local populace to report any sightings of strangers in the
area. Furthermore, large-scale exercises involving all levels of law
enforcement, territorial defense and civic organizations will be held in the
area in the immediate future. The National Police reported that law enforcement
officers were primarily focused on protecting the safety of the residents of
the border area.

The news comes as Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba
responded to recent suggestions by German MP Nils Schmid that Ukraine take in
some of those attempting to enter the EU, where their asylum applications can
then be processed. Kuleba stated in an interview on 1+1 television on Nov. 17
that, “Generally, the best way to involve Ukraine into anything is to take
us to the EU.” Kuleba also stressed that the topic had not been breached by
German officials, and that no proposals of this sort had been received by the
Ukrainian government.

James Hydzik: While the mass of migrants is still focused on getting into Poland, the
danger of an end-run through Ukraine, especially if the Belarusian authorities
tire of the current ploy, is high. The exercises in Rivne Oblast are a
necessary precaution. The probability of Ukraine setting up processing centers
is currently quite low, and since the migrants are escorted by Belarusian
guards, the migrants’ presence on Ukraine’s border will only occur if they are
guided there.