Kierwiński called the decision a security measure linked to the Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2025 maneuvers, which he said are aimed “directly at Poland, at the European Union.”
He also cited an incident earlier this week involving Russian drones over Polish airspace as evidence of aggressive behavior.
The closure, announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday, halts road traffic for passenger cars at Terespol–Brest and for heavy trucks at Kukuryki–Kozlovichi, and suspends freight rail at Kuźnica Białostocka–Grodno, Siemianówka–Swisłocz and Terespol–Brest.
The suspension applies in both directions.
The Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces said early on Wednesday that unmanned aircraft repeatedly violated Polish airspace during a Russian strike on Ukraine. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said drones that could pose a threat were shot down.
Kierwiński said ministries will compile potential losses for businesses and the government will consider "sectoral support" depending on the duration of the shutdown.
He added that the announcement several days earlier gave haulers time to adjust and urged them to use alternative routes.
He said a decision on whether to extend checks on the German border will be taken after September 15 and is likely to be prolonged.
The Zapad-2025 drills began on Friday and run until September 16. Officials have provided differing participation figures, from an official 13,000 to estimates that range higher for Belarus and Russia.
Germany’s military has said it sees no sign the exercises mask preparations for an attack on NATO but will remain vigilant.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP