Poland’s Tusk accuses Łukašenka of exploiting migration crisis
April 12, Pozirk. Poland sees more indications that Alaksandar Łukašenka wants to use migration and tension at shared border for his political ends again, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told his Estonian counterpart Kaja Kallas, his press office reported.
Their Warsaw meeting on April 11 took place on the sidelines of the ongoing European Union’s consultations on policy priorities.
Tusk stressed that he would urge all of Poland’s European partners to prioritize issues of illegal migration to make the EU tighten border security.
The statement came the day after border guards and soldiers in Poland’s Podlaskie region stopped a group of more than 220 migrants coming from Belarus.
Meanwhile, Alaksandar Łukašenka on April 11 complained to Russian President Vladimir Putin about tension at the border with Poland.
“And Lithuanians, Latvians. . . . First, they throw tens of dead bodies across the border. A certain number of migrants is going there; and they push them back. They have built the fence. So, they throw them over the fence to us at the border. As snow melted, dead bodies became exposed right there at the border,” his press office quoted him as saying.
The migration crisis at the Belarusian-EU border started in spring 2021 after Łukašenka, angered by EU sanctions, had indicated that Minsk would not prevent migrants from Africa and Asia from using Belarus as a route to the EU.
It escalated in November 2021, with hundreds of migrants storming the Polish border.
In June 2021, the Belarusian government announced the suspension of a readmission agreement with the EU in response to sanctions that followed the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk in an operation by Belarusian security services.
Pozirk’s analysis of daily stats indicated fluctuated tension at the Belarusian-EU border throughout 2023 with illegal border crossings picking up the pace in February and Poland being the major target.
The Baltic states and Poland accused Belarusian authorities of creating the trouble, while the latter blamed it on the West.
In August 2023, the interior ministers of Poland and the Baltic States warned that they might close the border with Belarus in response to a surge in illegal migration.
Polish border guards prevent group of more than 200 migrants from crossing from Belarus
- Politics, SportGoverning body eases restrictions for wrestlers from Russia, BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMinsk appeals to Vilnius for reset of relations weeks before Lithuania’s electionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka approves appointment of deputy ministers, district headsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
Rubel climbs against US dollar, euro, yuan
- PoliticsBelarus should be donor of peace, stability – CichanoŭskajaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Łukašenka fears his exiled opponents may storm into Belarus
- SocietyBelarusian, Russian military doctors holding conference in ViciebskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityMinsk slams Lithuania’s decision to withdraw from customs agreementThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Ryžankoŭ heading for New York to rally opposition to sanctions
- PoliticsReprisals: anarchist placed in punishment cellThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Security
Putin threatens to use nuclear weapons if Belarus is attacked
- Politics, SocietyActivists hand diplomats over 82,000 signatures for Bialacki's releaseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsLithuania to denounce customs agreements with Belarus, RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarusian, Russian defense executives discuss ways to accelerate materiel deliveriesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Rally held in Vilnius to mark imprisoned right defender’s birthday
- PoliticsSupport for Belarus is investment in peace and security – CichanoŭskajaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Investigative report prompts Lithuanian interior ministry to terminate New Belarus ID contract
- Economy
Rubel gains 0.27 percent against US dollar
- Germany news, PoliticsGerman lawyer wants politician investigated for employing political prisoners at Lida plantationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBan on export of some 250 types of industrial goods extendedThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityDonetsk prosecutors send case against missing Belarusian fighter to courtThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: Dziatłavičy man accused of insulting state symbolsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyState Control Committee investigates Evroopt retailerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyMahiloŭ assailant wounded more than one policemanThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, PoliticsŁukašenka announces intense scrutiny of army, police, KGB in run-up to electionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsNonprofits send evidence of Minsk's involvement in Ukrainian children transfers to courtThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Security
Association advises journalists to migrate from Telegram to safer messengers
- PoliticsOpposition politician meets his Australian ambassador in WarsawThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityBelarus cannot afford war-capable army – ŁukašenkaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
Rubel's fall against US dollar continues