Belarus claims Polish attempt to sway diplomat in Moldova

The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the delivery of a note to the Polish chargé d'affaires, Krzysztof Ożanna. According to the BiełTA agency, the reason was an accusation of trying to recruit a Belarusian diplomat in Moldova.

The Polish Press Agency reports that the independent Belarusian portal Zierkało stated that state television in Belarus broadcast a segment on this issue. The Polish intelligence services were alleged to have offered material benefits to the Belarusian diplomat.

The incident is said to have occurred in Chisinau. Polish agents allegedly proposed to the Belarusian representative in Moldova €100,000 (approximately £83,000) for betraying his country and cooperating with a foreign intelligence service.

A KGB representative described the situation as a "flagrant case" and announced an impending response from Belarus. Anatol Hlaz, a spokesman for the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, remarked that several international principles were violated.

Hłaz announced the issuance of a note and consideration of further measures by Belarus. In the meantime, the note, which is a form of reprimand, was handed to the Polish chargé d'affaires, Krzysztof Ożanna.

Relations between Poland and Belarus have been strained since Minsk's cooperation with Russia in the invasion of Ukraine. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, who originally allowed his territory to be used before the full-scale assault on Kyiv in February 2022, later refused to commit his soldiers to the front lines.

However, Belarus, along with Russia, continues to participate in activities aimed at destabilising the region. Migrants, deliberately brought in from crisis-hit countries, have been sent over the Belarusian border since the summer of 2022.