Russia on Wednesday (November 10) blamed the EU for the immigration crisis at the border between Belarus and Poland, accused it of trying to “strangle” Belarus through a plan to close part of the border, and urged it to talk directly with Minsk.
As immigrants from the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Africa tried to break into Poland overnight, Moscow sent two strategic bombers to patrol the airspace of Belarus, sending further signals of support for its ally, Belarus.
The Tu-22M3 bomber helped test the Belarusian joint air defense system. RIA News Agency quoted the Ministry of Defense in a statement saying that the statement did not mention the immigration crisis, but instead emphasized the increasing tensions on the eastern border of NATO.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a joint press conference with Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makoi that he hopes responsible Europeans “do not let themselves fall into a rather dangerous vortex.”
Makoi stated that Russia and Belarus support each other, “including jointly responding to unfriendly activities against our country.”
The Kremlin stated that President Vladimir Putin told German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the phone that the EU should discuss the crisis directly with Minsk.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said at a briefing: “It is clear that a humanitarian disaster is approaching in the context of Europeans’ unwillingness to show their commitment to European values. “
He described Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s comments on Tuesday about the “mastermind in Moscow” of the crisis as “absolutely irresponsible and unacceptable.”
Russia’s financial and other support helped Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko survive the massive protests against his rule after last year’s contentious elections.
Moscow has stepped up its support for Belarus and criticized the EU for the immigration crisis. Brussels said it was made by Belarus in retaliation for EU sanctions on elections and other human rights issues.
Peskov said that the European Union had allowed similar immigrant groups to enter in the past, and the border closure is now aimed at Minsk.
“This is nothing more than a further attempt to strangle Belarus,” he said.
