EU ready to adopt new measures against Belarus to stop the ‘hybrid war’

The European Union (EU) might impose new sanctions on Belarus as of Monday, 15 November, since Belarusian President Aleksander Lukashenko continues to use migrants to destabilise the security and stability of Poland, and therefore of the entire EU. 

Since July 2021, thousands of migrants coming from the Middle East have endeavoured to cross the border between Belarus and Poland, helped by Lukashenko’s regime. Since then, the EU has called on Lukashenko to stop what some call a hybrid war, but the Belarusian President denies any allegations. 

The situation at the border between Poland and Belarus has been further deteriorating, with thousands of migrants suffering the winter cold and being left without food and drink. The EU is now ready to take further measures against Belarus.

I had a productive meeting with @POTUS at the White House⁰
We touched upon a series of issues including the situation at the border with Belarus⁰
This is a hybrid attack. Not a migration crisis
 
Beginning of next week, we will very quickly expand our sanctions against Belarus. pic.twitter.com/nsdCVLbyk4

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 10, 2021

Sanctions on airlines or walls?

There are two different options on the table. The first and more likely course of action calls for a package of sanctions against Belarus, sanctioning airlines and officials involved in human trafficking. In that case, Belarusian airlines and officials who attempt to attract people to flee from their origin countries to the EU would be added to the blacklist and banned access to EU airports. 

The second and more debatable option calls installing new walls and fences between Minsk and Warsaw. European An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council President Charles Michel declared that financing border barriers is legal as long as it serves to protect the stability of the EU, according to an opinion of the Legal Service of the An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council.

The The EU’s politically independent executive arm. It is responsible for drawing up proposals for new European legislation, and it implements the decisions of the European Parliament and the Council. European Commission should then approve to fund barbed wires. However, President Ursula von der Leyen already showed reluctance to the idea during the European An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council meeting, held this year in late October. Indeed, setting up walls may go against the EU’s values. 

Belarus’ response 

President Lukashenko did not remain impassive, saying that Belarus will respond if the European Union adopts other retaliatory measures. Specifically, he threatened to cut off the main gas pipeline Yamal-Europe, which connects Russian natural gas fields to the EU, leaving Europe without gas supplies.

Hearing that, Russian President Vladimir Putin immediately intervened claiming that “this would mean a breach of our gas transit contract and I hope this will not happen”, according to Reuters sources.

EU-Belarus relationship

The relationship between the EU and Belarus has deteriorated since the Belarusian presidential election in 2020. The EU does not recognise the results of the election, deeming them as fraudulent. Since then, the EU has imposed restrictive measures targeting 166 individuals and 15 entities close to the current regime.

WHAT’S NEXT?

If the EU decides to apply other measures, those would form the fifth package of sanctions against Belarus. On Monday, 15 November, the European An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council of Foreign Ministers will meet and decide how to go forward.