On 3 August, the European Union (EU) passed a new round of sanctions targeting individuals and entities in Belarus (European Council, 2023). These sanctions were introduced amid escalating tensions along the Polish-Belarusian border. On 1 August 2023, Poland accused Belarus of violating its airspace south of the Suwałki Gap (Haq et al., 2023). Belarusian helicopters were reportedly spotted flying over Polish territory at low altitudes, making radar detection difficult (Pikulicka-Wilczewska, 2023). This incident led to heightened military activity, with Wagner troops, in collaboration with Belarusian forces, and Polish troops rushing to their respective sides of the border (Pikulicka-Wilczewska, 2023). Additionally, on 7 August 2023, Belarus also started a military exercise, resulting in an even more tense international environment (AP News, 2023).

On June 26th, 2023, the Council of the EU unanimously extended the mandate of three civilian missions operating under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) framework: the EU Integrated Border Management Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya), the EU Integrated Border Management Assistance Mission at the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah), and the EU Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS). While the first mission was given a 2-year renewal, with its new deadline set on June 30th, 2025, the other two benefited from a one-year extension until June 30th, 2024, with a potential one-year extension. Most relevantly, the Council widened the scope of EUBAM Libya’s mandate, which now encapsulates ambitious objectives, such as the enhancement of state authorities and agencies’ border management capabilities, the fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and counter-terrorism (Council of the EU, 2023).