# Belarus border crisis (2021)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/2021-belarus-border-crisis
Location: Poland–Belarus border

The Belarusian regime encouraged migrants to cross into Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Poland declared a state of emergency in the border zone and built a steel barrier along the border. Within the broader Third Republic period: Democratic Poland transformed its economy, joined NATO and the European Union and became one of Europe's leading states, while confronting new security challenges on its eastern border. At this point in the timeline (2021), the governing authority was Andrzej Duda (President of Poland). Two-term president backed by Law and Justice. Belarus border crisis mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Belarus border crisis mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood.

Ruler at the time: [Andrzej Duda](https://poland-history.com/rulers/andrzej-duda)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Belarus–European Union border crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belarus%E2%80%93European_Union_border_crisis)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Belarus border crisis](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Belarus+border+crisis)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland (1989–present) (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_(1989%E2%80%93present))