On the EU’s eastern border, the number of migrants arriving has been significantly rising. In 2024, the number of people entering the EU at the Belarusian border rose by 66% compared to 2023. Russia and Belarus take advantage of people, with a Russian student or tourist visa, using human beings in an act of hostility, as a political tool to destabilise EU society by exploiting the EU’s principle of right to asylum. This hybrid warfare must be countered. That is why the EU has issued a set of actions that will bolster EU countries’ capacity to oppose this hybrid threat and strengthen security at the EU's external borders.
These actions are:
Identify the challenges at the EU's external land borders with Russia and Belarus and the threat to EU security. The European Commission will support EU countries to prevent Russia and Belarus from using European principles and values, including the right to asylum, against the EU.
Strengthen the EU policy response and operational support. Several EU measures against the weaponisation of migrants in Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have already been put in place. To further enhance border surveillance at the borders with Russia and Belarus, the EU is now making available €170 million to support upgrading electronic surveillance equipment, improving telecommunication networks, deploying mobile detection equipment or countering drone intrusions.
Set the **legal context:**EU countries are legally obliged to protect the EU’s external borders, while respecting fundamental rights and the principle of non-refoulement (guarantee that no one should be returned to a country where they would face torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment). In the face of the current hybrid threat, and in line with EU Treaties, EU countries may adopt national measures which may affect fundamental rights, such as the right to asylum. Such measures have to be exceptional, temporary, proportionate and for clearly defined cases.
Increase cooperation with the EU and other EU countries. The affected EU countries are invited to cooperate closely with the EU and other EU countries to ensure consistency and effectiveness of any related action.
The EU will always stand by EU countries in their efforts to ensure a safe and secure Union with a fully functioning Schengen area, for the benefit of all EU citizens. EU countries should make use of all the possibilities covered by EU legislation, while the Commission is ready to engage with those countries taking exceptional measures.
For more information
A new era for European defence and security
Communication on countering hybrid threats from the weaponisation of migration and strengthening security at the EU's external border
Border Management and Visa Instrument Funding
Press release: Commission steps up support for Member States to strengthen EU security and counter the weaponisation of migration