Belarus Pres. Raises Prospect Of New Migrant Wave To EU

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has raised the prospect of a new wave of mass migration to the EU, saying in an interview with Russian state media earlier this week that the West has 'stirred things up' in the Middle East, resulting in increased migration. Lukashenko: “[The EU] reproach me for the fact that migrants are coming through the Belarusian border. Guys, you have put a noose around my neck in the form of sanctions and demand that I protect the European Union from the influx of these migrants. It will not be like that. Let them go wherever they want. They are not staying with us. This is my policy,”

• As EU Observer reports, "The practice, known as ‘instrumentalisation’, where non-EU governments push large numbers of migrants to the EU borders has been used before by Belarus. EU officials say that the tactic...increases pressure on border staff and services in the region, and is used to destabilise governments."
• Poland, which has a lengthy border with Belarus, is already mulling the closure of its two remaining border crossings. Anti-Lukashenko activists have advocated closing the border to cargo to strangle the Belarusian economy, rather than closing the border to civilians who could be cut off from family.
• Finland has also accused Russia of 'instrumentalisation', resulting in the closure of border points to foot traffic.
• Both Poland and Finland have argued the migrant flows are part of Moscow-organised 'hybrid attacks' aimed at destabilising their countries.