Belarus Refugee Crisis Worsens... Polish Prime Minister Requests NATO Emergency Meeting

Polish Prime Minister "Now Concrete Measures and Allied Commitments Needed"
US State Department "Belarus' Actions Threaten Security and Foster Division"
Putin "We Have No Involvement in This Incident"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Poland is considering requesting an emergency meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to discuss the Belarus refugee crisis. Concerns are rising that the situation is worsening as NATO's possible involvement emerges amid criticism that Belarus is "pushing" refugees from the Middle East toward European country borders.

On the 14th (local time), Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told Poland's state-run PAP news agency that he is discussing this plan together with Lithuania and Latvia, Bloomberg reported.

Prime Minister Morawiecki cited Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which states that "allies may request consultations whenever the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any ally is threatened."

He emphasized, "It is not enough for us to publicly express concern. Now, concrete measures and commitments from the entire alliance are needed."

Earlier, a large number of refugees from the Middle East trying to enter the European Union (EU) have gathered in the Belarus border area adjacent to Poland, heightening tensions.

The EU suspects that Belarus is orchestrating this crisis to pressure the EU into lifting sanctions imposed on it, and believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin, an ally of Belarus, is behind it.

Prime Minister Morawiecki also said he discussed the situation with Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and announced that the EU plans to impose additional sanctions on Belarus starting from the 15th.

Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, also issued a statement on the same day, criticizing, "The actions taken by the regime of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus threaten security and sow division," adding, "It is also intended to divert attention from Russia's increased troop deployments near the Ukrainian border."

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, in an op-ed published in The Telegraph on the same day, stated, "Russia bears clear responsibility for the refugee crisis," and urged, "Russia must directly pressure Belarus to resolve the situation."

Meanwhile, Russian President Putin has denied accusations that Russia is behind the refugee crisis.

In an interview with state broadcaster Rossiya TV on the same day, President Putin said, "We have no involvement in this crisis," and added, "We are ready to implement all possible measures to resolve this situation."

Belarusian President Lukashenko won the election in August last year, but allegations of election fraud arose. After suppressing months of protests, he faced multiple sanctions from the EU.

Meanwhile, the Polish side stated on the same day that Belarusian authorities are providing refugees with various equipment to break through the barbed wire at the border area and appear to have instructed violent acts against Polish border guard forces.