Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko threatens to cut off gas to Europe if the European Union imposes sanctions on his country over the refugee crisis. Sanctions are expected next week.
Russia sends gas to Poland and Germany via a pipeline that passes through Belarus. “We are heating Europe, they still threaten us to close the borders. And if we cut off gas?” Lukashenko was quoted as saying by the official Belta news agency. Therefore, he advises driving in Poland, Lithuania and “other headless people to think before they speak.”
The European Union criticizes Minsk for its handling of refugees. They have not been banned from traveling to the European Union for months and are said to be receiving assistance from the Belarusian authorities. This is seen as retaliation, in response to EU sanctions for violent suppression of protests against the regime in Minsk.
Tensions have been particularly high on the Belarus-Poland border. There is an impromptu camp near the fence with hundreds of people from Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, among others. Minsk blames the European Union for the situation that has arisen and condemns that Poland is threatening to close its borders.
On Thursday, Warsaw reported that about 150 people had “violently” tried to cross the border. Customs, soldiers and police prevented this.
See also: Robin Rammakers arrested by police in Poland
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