The inflow of migrants along Belarus’ borders with EU countries has been characterized by Ursula von der Leyen as a “hybrid attack” by an authoritarian state on its neighbours. Following a meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso pledged to “defend democracies” and stated that the two leaders had a similar assessment of the situation.
Von der Leyen said efforts were being made to urge countries not to “fall into the trap” of Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko’s efforts to harm the EU. Belarus has been accused by the EU of organizing the transfer of individuals from Middle Eastern countries into Europe, deceiving them into believing they may enter the bloc, as part of a strategy to sow unrest with a fresh wave of mass migration to the bloc. Thousands of migrants and refugees have set up temporary camps in the frigid weather along Poland’s border with Belarus. Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, blasted an “intolerable situation” on Wednesday and requested “urgent” access to humanitarian help. Belarus was accused of “state terrorism” by Poland’s prime minister for its role in the migrant flow along the border.
Putin is attempting to bolster Russia’s defence capabilities
He also stated that Lukashenko was acting out of “covert vengeance” in retaliation for Polish support for Belarus’ opposition. Morawiecki had accused Vladimir Putin of coordinating the migrant flow the day before. Russia has retaliated, with Minsk accusing the EU and Western countries of “provoking” the border impasse. As the problem grew more international, German Chancellor Angela Merkel pushed Russian President Vladimir Putin to intercede. Nine migrants were detained — five Lebanese nationals, three Iraqis, and one Syrian — while another 48 were given orders to leave the country. Migrants, many of them tiny children, were led out of a forest near Narewka in Podlasie, eastern Poland, according to Polish network TVN.
