Poland's Belarus border closure and Zelensky's European tour, February 2023
A look back at two developments reported in the days before 13 February 2023, as tensions rose on Poland's frontier and Ukraine's president prepared to visit France.
What was happening on Europe's eastern edge by 13 February 2023? Two reports from the preceding days gave part of the picture: one about a closed border crossing, the other about a diplomatic trip.
On 9 February 2023, Poland announced that it was closing a major border crossing with Belarus until further notice. The move came amid heightened tensions between the two countries. Only two checkpoints remained open between Poland and Belarus after the announcement.
On 8 February 2023, it was reported that Volodymyr Zelensky would travel to France after his visit to the United Kingdom. In France he was due to meet President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Together, the reports showed a region in which border arrangements were tightening on one side while Ukraine's leadership was engaged in meetings with Western European leaders on the other.
