Bartosz Chmielewski
ON THE RECORD · 7 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“the number of border violations has already reached 12,000, a level equal to the total for the entire previous year”
Bartosz Chmielewski · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-09
Chmielewski reported that border violations in September and October reached 12,000, matching the entire previous year's total.
“Latvia struggles to execute major infrastructure projects … It shares the shortest border with Belarus, but has been unable to complete the necessary infrastructure there; this is due both to the challenging terrain and the state’s limited operational capacity.”
Bartosz Chmielewski · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-09
Chmielewski described Latvia's struggles with completing necessary border infrastructure due to challenging terrain and limited state capacity.
“There has been a steady rise in border violations and the number of people crossing.”
Bartosz Chmielewski · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-09
Chmielewski noted a steady rise in border violations and crossings in Latvia.
“This is an attempt at intimidation by Russia. And what deters Russia from aggressive actions on the eastern flank is the solidarity of European nations,”
Bartosz Chmielewski · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-09
Chmielewski described the situation as Russian intimidation deterred by the solidarity of European nations.
“That is what Russia fears most: that should it stage a more brazen provocation, solidarity will stretch from Lisbon to Stockholm, and the European Union will act as a united front.”
Bartosz Chmielewski · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-09
Chmielewski stated that Russia most fears European unity in response to a brazen provocation.
“The crisis at the EU [European Union] border with Belarus has been ongoing for five years. The situation in Latvia has been deteriorating since May of this year,”
Bartosz Chmielewski · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-09
Chmielewski described the ongoing EU border crisis with Belarus to Al Jazeera.
“Until now, Latvia remained on the sidelines, as the pressure was primarily focused on Poland and Lithuania. Now it finds itself in the spotlight, partly because it is unprepared, its border infrastructure is inadequate, and the resources of the border guard – even with military support – are dwindling,”
Bartosz Chmielewski · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-09
Chmielewski explained why Latvia now finds itself in the spotlight amid inadequate border infrastructure and dwindling resources.