By The Smartencyclopedia Staff Writer with Agencies

Poland and the Baltic states—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—have jointly called upon the European Union to establish a defensive barrier along its borders with Russia and Belarus, as reported by Reuters. This urgent request, outlined in a letter addressed to the President of the European Council, will be a focal point at the EU member states’ meetings commencing today in Brussels, Belgium.

The initiative aims to safeguard the EU against military threats and other hostile activities originating from Moscow, Reuters notes.

In their collective statement, the leaders of Poland and the three Baltic nations underscore the necessity of this project to protect the bloc’s twenty-seven member states, home to nearly four hundred and fifty million inhabitants. They emphasize that securing financial support from all EU countries will be crucial for its implementation.

“The construction of defense infrastructure along the EU’s borders with Russia and Belarus is imperative to address immediate and pressing security concerns, encompassing both military and hybrid threats,” stated the letter, reviewed by a Reuters correspondent.

The proposal comes amid increasing geopolitical tensions in the region. The Baltic states and Poland have been vocal about the perceived threat from their eastern neighbors, particularly following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its ongoing involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

EU officials are expected to debate the feasibility and scope of such a defense project, including its funding and logistics. Supporters argue that a fortified border would act as a significant deterrent against potential aggression, while critics may point to the immense costs and the potential for escalating tensions further.

As the meetings unfold in Brussels, the call for a reinforced eastern frontier will likely be a contentious topic, reflecting the broader challenges the EU faces in ensuring the security of its member states amidst a complex and often volatile international landscape.