DISINFO: Poland should stop its anti-Belarusian propaganda and start talks with Lukashenka
SUMMARY
Poland has tried to solve the migration crisis by many steps: it has already spent billions on the border wall, declared Belarus as an “aggressor” and created an “amusement park” at the border for celebrities. However, no one thinks about the easiest solution in this situation – it is necessary to go to Minsk and talk. Before starting the talks with Belarus, Poland should liquidate all the centres [and media] involved in the anti-Belarusian propaganda. This step will be beneficial to the reset of bilateral relations and to the situation of the Polish minority in Belarus.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets about the migration situation on the EU-Belarus borders.
The situation was manufactured by Belarus as a response to EU sanctions imposed on the Lukashenka regime 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 other disinformation cases concerning the ongoing migration crisis on the Belarusian border: Poland uses the situation on Belarusian border to underline “Threat from the East”, Polish fence on the border with Belarus is meant to frighten poles with a perspective of war and Polish Defense Minister tries to exert psychological and propaganda influence on the Poles.
See our earlier articles on the Belarus migrants situation here and here.