EU announces sanctions on Belarus over border crisis

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 15 Nov 2021 by Alex Teddy
On November 15 Brussels said it is sanctioning various Belarusian entities whom it holds responsible for bringing several thousand illegal immigrants to the borders of Poland and Lithuania. The new sanctions are due to target 30 entities and individuals such as travel agencies and airlines that have expedited the transit of over 10,000 illegal immigrants to Belarus with a view to helping them cross into the EU illegally.Poland and Lithuania placed troops on the border to halt illegal immigrants from crossing. The EU sent extra border guards to assist them. Belarusian and Syrian airlines had flown people from Middle Eastern countries to Minsk. The EU accused the Belarusian authorities of busing people to the border and guiding them through the forests to illegal border crossings. They wanted to claim asylum in the EU.On November 14 Lukashenka vowed he would never flinch. However, on November 15 he said he is trying to send the illegal immigrants home. It is humiliating climbdown. Presumably he wanted to divert attention from his failings and provoke a confrontation with the EU. He could then present the opposition as traitors. Now President Lukashenka says he does not want a conflict over the border. He claimed his government had not assisted illegal immigrants in trying to cross into the EU. The president's acknowledgement of the presence of over 10,000 illegal immigrants is costly. The Belarusian Army is openly providing tents for about 3,000 illegal immigrants. Several of those without shelter died of exposure in sub zero temperatures.Belavia (Belarus' national airline) has suspended flights from Turkey and the UAE. It has banned citizens of Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Af...

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