Lukashenko suggested Poland to close all checkpoints on the border with Belarus

Thursday, January 16, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko suggested Poland to close all checkpoints on the border with Belarus, because Minsk does not supply Warsaw with anything.

"Let them close all of them. We don't go there, we don't take anything there. What, does the motorcycle factory take there to sell products? No. They have imposed sanctions against us. It's good," said the President of Belarus, whose words are quoted by BelTA agency.

The head of state added that Minsk does not fight migration and people who want to live in European countries and go there. Lukashenko pointed out that he would not "with a noose around his neck" to protect Poland, which burdens the people of Belarus with sanctions measures, from migrants.

Earlier in the day, the State Border Committee of Belarus reported on its page in the social network "VKontakte," that about 1.5 thousand cars, which want to enter the territory of the European Union (EU), had piled up at the checkpoint Terespol (Brest) on the border with Poland. At the same time, the Polish border guards, as in the previous day, processed only 40% of the norm of those passing through. In addition, 200 trucks are waiting to pass in front of the crossings Miadininkai (Kamenny Log) and Šalčininkai (Beniakoni) on the border with Lithuania.

Polish border guards at the border with Belarus often allow themselves unlawful actions against those who want to cross the border. Thus, January 5, Polish border guards beat up a refugee from Senegal and threw him into the Belarusian territory in Berastavitski district of Hrodna voblast. The man was exhausted and emaciated, he had signs of frostbite on his fingers and leg injuries, due to which he could not move independently. In addition, the Senegalese man's clothes were torn. He was hospitalized.

Before that, on October 30, 2024, representative of the Belarusian State Border Committee Anton Byczkowski said that such an attitude of Polish border guards to refugees was a manifestation of xenophobia. He added that the Polish authorities do not allow journalists, employees of independent public organizations and volunteers to the border with Belarus, who would provide assistance to migrants. This way Warsaw tries to hide what is happening on the border.