Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia Strengthen Border Security Cooperation Amid Hybrid Threats

The Prime Ministers of Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania have announced a joint declaration on February 25th, 2026, outlining a commitment to enhanced cooperation in tackling hybrid threats along their borders with Russia and Belarus. This move comes as concerns grow over increasing security complexities and ongoing hybrid attacks targeting the three nations and the European Union.

Addressing a Complex Security Environment

The declaration highlights the increasing complexity of the security environment and acknowledges the ongoing hybrid attacks perpetrated by Russia and Belarus. These attacks include irregular and instrumentalized migration, smuggling of migrants and goods, and other forms of organized crime. The three nations aim to effectively prevent and combat these threats, as well as resist the instrumentalization of migration as a hybrid tactic at the EU’s external borders – encompassing land, sea, and airspace.

Key Areas of Cooperation

The cooperation will be developed within the existing legal framework of bilateral agreements and within the broader context of the European Union. Specific areas of focus include:

• Enhanced Border Security: Intensifying efforts to secure the external borders of Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
• Early Warning Systems: Developing systems for early detection and information sharing regarding potential threats.
• Joint Analysis: Conducting joint analysis of hybrid attacks originating from Russia and Belarus, and developing countermeasures.
• Joint Projects & Exercises: Exploring and implementing joint projects, exercises, and initiatives to bolster security capabilities.
• Border Crossing Point Management: Considering mutually agreed-upon actions related to the management of external border crossing points.

Strengthened Communication and Coordination

The declaration emphasizes the importance of strengthened trilateral contacts at the level of the Prime Ministers’ national security advisors. This will facilitate more effective coordination and communication in addressing shared security challenges. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa stated that closer cooperation among national security advisors will contribute to strengthening the security of the external border against various manifestations of the hybrid threat, emphasizing the common nature of the threat and the need for coordinated action.

Regional Security Concerns

Airis Rikveilis, National Security Advisor to Siliņa, underscored the intertwined nature of military and civilian factors in border security, highlighting the need for active coordination at national, regional, and international levels. This statement reflects a growing recognition of the multifaceted nature of modern security threats and the importance of a holistic approach to defense.

Looking Ahead

The declaration signals a willingness to develop action plans and roadmaps to guide future cooperation. While the initial declaration lacks specific details, it represents a significant step towards strengthening regional security and resilience in the face of evolving threats from Russia and Belarus. The Baltic states and Poland are demonstrating a unified front in safeguarding their borders and protecting the interests of the European Union.