On Thursday, the European Union countries that share a border with Belarus expressed their need for increased solidarity from both the EU and NATO in response to the presence of "serial killers" affiliated with the Wagner mercenary group and the potential risk of infiltration into their respective countries.

Latvian Prime Minister Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš, while attending a two-day summit of EU leaders in Brussels, stated that they closely monitor the situation in Belarus due to the presence of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and a group of highly trained fighters who may join him. He emphasized that this poses a potential threat, not necessarily a direct military one, but rather the risk of infiltration into Europe for undisclosed purposes. As a result, heightened border surveillance and control are necessary measures.

Previously, Minsk has been accused of exploiting its border with EU member states by intentionally directing thousands of migrants, primarily from the Middle East, to the border in response to EU sanctions imposed on Belarus due to fraudulent elections and the subsequent violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

Meanwhile, Poland, which also shares a border with Belarus, has urged the EU to finance enhanced security measures at the border. Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski highlighted that European solidarity entails supporting countries that face destabilization.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed on Tuesday that Prigozhin had indeed arrived in Belarus and disclosed that a former military base had been made available for any Wagner fighters wishing to join him. The exile of Prigozhin and his group reportedly stems from an agreement he struck with Russian President Vladimir Putin following a mutiny in which they traveled approximately 200 kilometers south of Moscow, resulting in the death of over a dozen Russian soldiers.

Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, also expressed extreme concern about the situation in Belarus. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda referred to the Wagner group as "serial killers" and warned that they could potentially emerge within Belarus at any moment, with uncertain intentions toward neighboring countries. Nausėda urged NATO to make decisive decisions regarding the reinforcement of its eastern flank.

On 11-12 July, leaders from the 31 member nations of NATO will convene in Vilnius to discuss ongoing transformations within the alliance, unveil regional plans for enhanced cooperation and defense against new threats.