Poland and Lithuania Using Migration Crisis to Obtain Funds From EU, Belarusian Diplomat Says

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – Poland and Lithuania are using the border crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border to gain additional funds from the European Union, Belarusian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Valentin Rybakov told Sputnik.

"From our point of view, Poland and Lithuania are using the situation around migrants in their interests as a pretext for gaining additional funds from the European Union as well as for justifying their anti-migration policy and multiple violations of their international commitments", Rybakov said.

He also stressed that by "demonising" Minsk, Poland and Lithuania "seek to boost their importance and role in European and international politics".

According to the diplomat, Belarus expects the European Union to make the first move and start a dialogue to jointly resolve the border crisis.

"We are ready for cooperation and dialogue to ensure security on our common border, cooperation primarily with the EU, as we have a problem between Belarus and EU countries... We expect the EU... to take the first step, to show some sound pragmatism, to start a dialogue with us, then we can start solving this problem through joint efforts", Rybakov noted.

Migrants gather near a barbed wire fence in an attempt to cross the border with Poland in the Grodno region, Belarus November 8, 2021

© REUTERS / BelTA

Situation on the Border

Rybakov also warned against succumbing to panic, regarding the ongoing border crisis.

"The only thing that is needed now is a request to the UN, to its structures and all countries to calmly and thoroughly study the information coming from the border and not to succumb to panic sparked by Telegram channels and fake news", Rybakov told Sputnik.

The diplomat called for an objective consideration of developments on the border with Poland and Lithuania.

"We provide access to the UN structures, other observers, and media representatives to the territory. We are actively providing assistance to refugees. Belarus certainly does not leave people in trouble, we are constantly directing assistance to those regions... But people just do not want to leave, they do not want to go home or stay in Belarus. People want to go to Europe, rich, democratic, and hospitable Europe. But now they see the real face of this democratic and hospitable Europe", Rybakov stated.

He noted, however, that putting military equipment in a crisis-stricken area results in rising tensions, as any mistake can lead to tragic consequences.

"At today's meeting, the president instructed the defence minister that Belarus should adequately respond to the strengthening of the military component on the other side of the border, in Poland, Ukraine, and other countries. The president stressed that we in no way want to escalate the situation. We understand that the situation is so tense that any provocation, any [manifestation of the] human factor, and any mistake can lead to extremely tragic consequences", Rybakov said.

Belarus does not "engage in rattling" or try to "frighten anyone" but is committed to defending the nation's interests, including through Union State armed forces, the diplomat warned.

Migrants use wire cutters to cut the barbed wire as they try to cross the Belarus/Poland border near Kuznica Bialostocka, Poland, in this video-grab released by the Polish Defence Ministry, November 8, 2021

© REUTERS / HANDOUT

Late Thursday, four EU member states that have seats on the UN Security Council – Estonia, France, Ireland, and Norway – the United Kingdom and the United States as well as Albania accused Belarus of trying to destabilise the situation in the European Union with the use of migrants.