The European Union is set to unveil new sanctions against Belarus today, following the first high-level contact between Brussels and Minsk since the migrant crisis began at the EU's eastern border. EU foreign ministers are scheduled to meet today with the aim of expanding sanctions imposed on Belarus due to its crackdown on opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled the country for nearly 30 years.
After EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell spoke with Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei on Sunday, the latter stated that any sanctions on Minsk would have "counterproductive results." Borrell tweeted that he raised the issue of the "deteriorating humanitarian situation at the border with the EU," adding that "the current situation is unacceptable and must end. People should not be used as weapons."
Thousands of migrants from the Middle East are camped at the border between the EU and Belarus, provoking a standoff between the bloc and the United States, on one side, and Belarus and its ally Russia, on the other. Western countries accuse Lukashenko's regime of deliberately orchestrating the crisis by encouraging migrants to come to Belarus and then sending them to the border. Belarus denies the allegations and blames Western immigration policies. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also rejected accusations against Russia's involvement in the crisis and urged the EU to engage in direct dialogue with Belarus.
Officials in Belarus reported that about 2,000 migrants, including a pregnant woman and children, are living in the largest camp near the village of Bruzgi. Belarusian authorities have provided assistance, including tents and heaters, a move that could make the camp's presence semi-permanent at the border. Poland has refused to allow migrants to enter and has accused Belarus of preventing their departure. Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński stated on Saturday that a rumor is circulating among migrants that Poland will allow them to pass on Monday and that buses would come from Germany to take them. He added, "Preparations are underway for a provocation."
The government sent a text message to all foreign mobile phones along the border stating, "This is pure lies and nonsense! Poland will continue to protect its borders with Belarus. Those spreading these rumors seek to encourage migrants to storm the border, which could lead to serious developments." The German Foreign Ministry denied the rumor. Despite the difficulties, migrants cross the border periodically but are often arrested and sent back to Belarus. Relief agencies report that at least ten migrants have died so far, adding that a humanitarian crisis is unfolding as temperatures drop below freezing, urging an end to escalation to help the migrants.
The EU foreign ministers are scheduled to meet today with the aim of expanding sanctions on Belarus due to its crackdown on opponents of Lukashenko, who has ruled the country for nearly 30 years. Josep Borrell stated that ministers will allow sanctions against any entity "involved in the migrant smuggling process" in Belarus, including airlines, travel agencies, and officials. In an interview with the French weekly "Journal du Dimanche," Borrell said, "Lukashenko made a mistake. He thought that by acting this way he would twist our arm and force us to lift the sanctions. But what is happening is the opposite."
Following pressure from EU diplomats, Turkey has banned Iraqis, Syrians, and Yemenis from traveling to Belarus, and the Syrian private airline Cham Wings has suspended its flights to Minsk.
In the meantime, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called on NATO to take "concrete steps" to address the crisis. In an interview with the Polish news agency, he stated, "It is no longer enough for us to express our concern publicly -- what we need now are concrete steps and intervention from the alliance as a whole." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also held talks with his Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said, "The actions of Lukashenko's regime threaten security and sow division and aim to distract from Russia's activities at the border with Ukraine." Blinken warned of Russian troop movements near Ukraine and cautioned Moscow against any invasion similar to its annexation of Crimea seven years ago.
