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
- EconomyŁukašenka establishes Economic Court of AppealThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecuritySecurity chief accuses neighbors of building up forces at Belarus borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityLatvian legislature passes new entry requirements for BelarusiansThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsImprisoned opposition activist Kulša charged days before releaseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus to press criminal charges against foreign officials for alleged mistreatment of migrantsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsEuropean Parliament slams Łukašenka's reprisals against Belarusians abroad – ŁatuškaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyRubel up 10 percent against US dollar at cash exchange offices since JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSeimas committee backs additional restrictions for BelarusiansThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SocietyWarsaw moves to tighten criteria for Pole’s Card to prevent abuseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- SocietyPolice seize rare custom-made Belgian rifle, file criminal charges against hunterThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyDozens of foreigners arrested while crossing irregularly from Belarus into PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics
- PoliticsReprisals: KGB raids target regime critics across BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOfficial brags about 70 uncovered "destructive activity" funding casesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights group reports KGB crackdown, detentionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRussian envoy pushes back hard against any suggestion that Russia seeks to absorb BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCabinet shortens list of goods subject to price controlsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarusian company to replace asbestos sheets with safe materials at Tbilisi metro stationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyOver 30 call center scammers arrested in MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyUkraine sells almost $2-million worth of seized Belarusian fertilizersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyInterior ministry restores access to foreign travel restrictions database amid criticismThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsRights defender says Minsk conceals political reprisals, hoping for sanctions reliefThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- SocietyInterior ministry blocks access to database of Belarusians subject to travel restrictionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarusian man arrested in Georgia on drug trafficking chargesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics