Poland announced on Nov 17 that it would reopen two border crossings with Belarus that it closed in September following Russian-led military exercises in the neighbouring state and 21 Russian drones getting into Polish airspace.

On Oct 30 Warsaw had indicated that it might not open the crossings with Belarus, a close Russian ally, at least until mid-November to express support to other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, especially Lithuania, in the face of increased security concerns.

In late October, breaking airspace over Belarus, Lithuania closed its land border with Belarus, and announced it would remain closed until the end of November.

On Nov 13, the Interior Ministry of Poland announced that as of Nov 17, the border crossing at Bobrowniki would be open to passenger cars and trucks with their registration in the European Union, European Free Trade Association countries, and Switzerland, and Kuznica Bialostocka only to passenger cars. 

“The intended actions are scheduled to restore the movement of people and goods in response to the demands of, among others, a vast number of entrepreneurs, carriers, and people commuting to work between Belarus and Poland”, it said. 

Previous tense relations between Poland and Belarus have fallen even lower due to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 by Russia.