Belarus FM: Minsk not giving in to Warsaw’s blackmail over Chinese transit
July 18, Pozirk. Warsaw uses the transit of Chinese goods to blackmail Minsk, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryžankoŭ told the state-run ONT TV channel, commenting on Poland’s threats to close the only border crossing handling cargo traffic between both countries.
“During my trip [to China in June], we shared several documents and detailed the situation at the border,” he said. The Chinese side accepted the explanation, losing “any interest in intrigues,” the diplomat noted.
Ryžankoŭ described the June visit by Polish President Andrzej Duda to China as an attempt to influence Minsk to “solve its issues with Poland.”
Duda accused Belarus of obstructing China’s Belt and Road initiative by sponsoring the illegal migration crisis, following an earlier announcement of plans to close the border with Belarus for cargo traffic.
Warsaw decided to “hold everyone hostage,” as cargo traffic disruptions affect both companies in the European Union and their Chinese partners, Ryžankoŭ noted.
“This theme will disappear as soon as they see that it does not work.. . . They will be forced to cooperate with us after all,” the diplomat said.
Three days ago, Minsk confirmed its readiness to discuss the migration crisis with Warsaw after China urged the two countries to resolve their differences through dialogue.
The migration crisis at the Belarusian-EU border started in spring 2021 after Alaksandar Łukašenka, angered by EU sanctions, had indicated that Minsk would not prevent migrants from Africa and Asia from using Belarus as a route to the EU.
Belarus’ western neighbors call the migration crisis a “hybrid attack” orchestrated by Minsk and Moscow.
Minsk reiterates readiness for border talks with Warsaw
- SecurityAt least 20 servicemen in detention – rights activistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsFive pardoned prisoners namedThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsJournalist Ihar Iljaš declared political prisonerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka defends propaganda, threatens information warfareThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition leader visiting Canada, to address NATO PAThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsŁukašenka boasts that he personally authorizes internet shutdownsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Elections, Politics
- PoliticsUS think tank: Russia to control Tor-M2 missile systems in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, PoliticsŁukašenka’s supporter says he collected 100,000 ballot-access signatures for presidential raceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: exiled former Kanapackaja’s associate given prison termThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyPublic sector employees to take on their laid-off colleagues' responsibilities for extra payThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyEconomist plays down fears of rubel collapseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka goes to Pakistan next weekThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, Politics, Security
- Economy, PoliticsPolish trade unionists protest against fertilizer imports from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyInformation minister concerned about influx of subversive books from RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Security
- PoliticsHrodna court sentences exiled activist to six years in prisonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsViasna: new political prisoners outnumber those pardonedThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, PoliticsOfficial: 1.5 million ballot-access signatures collected for Łukašenka in two weeksThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsExiled soccer executive among those stripped of rankThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, Politics, SecurityKGB holding counterterrorism drill in city near PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityKGB accuses Warsaw of training terrorists for Belarus missionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyReprisals: Minsk arrests two Belarusians who fought Russia in UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsFormer Kalinoŭski fighter Ralko held in detention in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+