DISINFO: Poland wants to drag the EU into a conflict with Belarus
SUMMARY
It seems that Poland wants to unleash a conflict [with Belarus] and drag the EU into it. The Belarusian neighbours, including Poland, are ready to unleash a conflict in order to solve their internal political problems and domestic problems of the EU. Belarus will not accept the language of blackmail and threats. The Armed Forces of Belarus are ready to respond to any attacks.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets about the migration situation on the EU-Belarus borders.
The Polish authorities deployed the military forces on the border with Belarus because of direct security threats posed by the Belarusian services, including the attempts to destroy the Polish border fence by the Belarusian servicemen; flare gunshots in the direction of Polish border guards; the entrance of three armed Belarusians on the territory of Poland; use of light and sound equipment against the Polish servicemen, etc.
According to the Polish authorities, the ongoing situation on the Belarusian border is a hybrid attack on Poland in order to destabilise the country and the entire EU.
There is plenty of evidence that the Belarusian authorities have instigated the ongoing irregular migration flows to the EU borders via Belarus.
The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that the situation on the EU-Belarus border is "the attempt of an authoritarian regime to try to destabilise its democratic neighbours". Similarly, High Representative Borrell has highlighted that the Lukashenka regime is weaponising human beings as a tool for political purposes by giving migrants false expectations and putting them in a situation of extreme vulnerability.
On 15 November 2021, the EU broadened the scope for sanctions to tackle hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants. The EU will now be able to target individuals and entities organising or contributing to activities by the Lukashenka regime that facilitate the illegal crossing of the EU's external borders.
See related examples of disinformation claims about migration here.
See our earlier articles on the Belarus migration situation here and here.