Poland accelerates efforts to defend its borders with Russia and Belarus

Poland's Prime Minister announced on Monday that the so-called "East Shield" project will begin construction by the end of this year.

Transcript

00:00Poland is accelerating efforts to strengthen the defense of its borders with Russia and

00:06Belarus. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Monday that construction of the so-called

00:12East Shield project will begin earlier than planned, by the end of this year instead of

00:17next. This project will increase military fortifications and other defense measures

00:22on Poland's eastern border over a length of approximately 800 kilometers. Construction

00:28is expected to last four years. Tusk was present at a training ground on Monday where

00:34the first exercises took place in testing elements of the project's new infrastructure

00:39and emphasized that it is part of a combined effort with the Baltic states and Finland.

00:44I am glad that the East Shield is moving. This is a joint venture not only of Poland,

00:51but also of the Baltic states when it comes to the Baltic defense line and Finland.

01:03Tusk also said that he is to discuss European funding for the project in Brussels in the

01:08near future.