Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has threatened to cut gas transit to the countries of the European Union in case the bloc announces new sanctions, while it has ordered to supervise the “movements of troops” of NATO and Poland on the border.
“We provide heating to Europe and yet they threaten us to close the border. What if we shut off natural gas? “asked the president, who has recommended to the authorities of Poland, Lithuania “and other fools” that they “think before they speak.”
“The Foreign Office must warn everyone in Europe. If they apply new sanctions against us, we must respond “, said Lukashenko. “They have started to scare us with the fifth package (of sanctions),” he said, before asking Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko to “forgive anything” to the EU.
If they carry out their threats, it could lead to an energy crisis – added to the humanitarian crisis – taking into account the all-time highs currently in the European gas market.
In full escalation of tension on the border Belarus is strengthening air defense in the area and it has even confirmed that two Russian bombers have conducted training exercises.
And in the middle of it all, the migrants used by the country, who one more night have tried to cross into Poland. The Border Guard has logged 468 attempts in the last 24 hours and issued 42 removal orders.
Driven by desperation and subjected to extreme conditions, their struggle to reach Europe continues. A dramatic situation that is claiming lives. Polish media point out that at least 7 people have died. Their day to day lives through surviving the freezing temperatures that hit the area, many are sick, and they only have the only help of food and water provided by the Red Cross.
From what the Belarusian government promised to bring them here, it has nothing to do with the present they are living. Their future, or what will happen to them, is yet to be determined.
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
