DISINFO: Belarus is not waging hybrid warfare against EU
SUMMARY
Belarus is not waging hybrid warfare against the European Union as far as the migration crisis on the Polish border is concerned. What is happening between the two countries has been caused by the European Union’s thoughtless policy. They (the Europeans) have now drastically changed this policy, trying to punish Belarus and accuse it of waging hybrid warfare. Can Belarus wage such warfare against the EU with its half-billion population? Any warfare is out of the question for Belarus.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets about the migration situation on the EU-Belarus borders.
The situation was caused by Belarus as a response to EU sanctions imposed on Minsk for its oppressive measures against the political opposition. 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.