European foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels today about the migrant conflict with Belarus on the Polish-Belarusian border. It is clear that new sanctions will be imposed against Belarus. Meanwhile, in countries outside the European Union, measures are also being taken to remedy the situation.
The European Union has accused Belarusian President Lukashenko of deliberately bringing migrants to Belarus so that they can continue their journey to the EU from there. It would be a response to the previously imposed European sanctions against Belarus, following the fraudulent presidential elections and the human rights violations committed by the regime.
“Lukashenko wants us to end the sanctions,” said German minister Maas. “Today we will answer: we are further tightening sanctions.” European Commission President von der Leyen says Europe is “united and will react quickly”.
The new measures should target the people who make money from people smuggling. Further economic sanctions against Belarus are also on the table. Lithuania, which borders Belarus, wants the country to become a ‘no-fly zone’ for migrant flights.
EU foreign affairs chief Borrell expects a new sanctions package to be approved by ministers today. He emphasizes that the focus must be on the humanitarian situation on the Polish-Belarusian border.
This Syrian migrant spent more than a month in the forests on the border; from a Polish hospital she now tells her story:
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