Ukraine did not notify Belarus on the tightening of border control measures – State Border Committee

February 11, BPN. The State Border Committee of Belarus stated that Kyiv did not notify Minsk about the tightening of border control measures.

“Reports about the tightening of border control measures at the Ukrainian border with regard to Belarusian citizens are spreading in the media,” the State Border Committee reported in its Telegram channel. “In particular, they concern the facts of denying citizens of our country entry into Ukraine with no explanation, conducting additional operations with documents, as well as recording interrogations on video.”

“In this regard, we inform that the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus has not received any official information from Ukrainian colleagues about the changes in the rules and procedures for entry into Ukraine,” the message reads.

Reports of enhanced screening of Belarusian citizens at the border with Ukraine, as well as cases of entry denial were reported on January 11 in social networks and Telegram channels.

The office of the Belarusian democratic leader Sviatlana Cichanoŭskaja received a confirmation of the tightened control measures for entry into Ukraine in connection with the Belarusian-Russian military drills Union Resolve 2022. However, her press service did not indicate the source of the confirmation.

“Reports surfaced today that Belarusians were intensively checked, their belongings were searched and they were questioned at checkpoints when crossing the border with Ukraine. It was confirmed to us that control measures for entry into Ukraine have now been tightened due to military exercises taking place on the territory of Belarus with the participation of Russian troops,” Cichanoŭskaja’s office said in a statement.

The office stresses that “because of the regime’s actions, Belarusians are now being treated as possible occupiers and enemies.” “All this is happening because of Aliaksandr Lukašenka, who at present is unable to guarantee the independence and sovereignty of the country where he used to be a president. As usual, it’s the ordinary people who suffer,” say the politician’s representatives.

Sviatlana Cichanoŭskaja’s office is “in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on this issue and is monitoring developments.” “We are doing everything possible to resolve the situation,” the press release emphasizes.

Joint Belarusian-Russian military drills Union Resolve 2022 will be held in Belarus until February 20.