Belarus' Aggression: Constant Attacks On Europe Explained

Belarus has been accused of perpetrating a 'hybrid attack' on Europe by exploiting migrants from the Middle East and pushing them to the EU border in retaliation for sanctions imposed on the country. This accusation comes in the wake of a growing number of migrants from the Middle East attempting to illegally cross the border from Belarus into EU countries such as Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia. Belarus has also been condemned for its involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Belarusian troops allegedly fighting alongside Russians and allowing Russian missile launchers to be stationed on its territory.

Belarus's role in the forced transfer of Ukrainian children

Belarus has been accused of participating in the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to its territory. The National Anti-Crisis Management Group, an opposition group, reported in August 2023 that at least 2,100 Ukrainian children had been sent to so-called recreation camps and sanatoriums in Belarus. The Belarusian state television also showed the transfers of these children. The children were taken from Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine and were transported by bus to Russia, and then by train to Belarus.

The Belarusian government has denied these accusations, with President Alexander Lukashenko claiming that they were temporarily hosting the children to help them recover from the trauma of war. However, the transfers of children to Belarus are in violation of international law, specifically the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Geneva Conventions, and the statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The role of Belarus in the forced transfer of Ukrainian children is part of a broader pattern of Belarusian support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Belarus has allowed Russian troops to use its territory to stage attacks on Ukraine, and has provided access to military airbases and army installations. Belarusian troops have also been reported to be fighting alongside Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

In response to Belarus's involvement in the conflict, Western countries have imposed sanctions on the country. Additionally, there have been protests in Belarus against the country's participation in the invasion, and Belarusian activists have disrupted the work of the Belarusian Railway, which transports Russian military trains.

The Belarusian regime's exploitation of migrants from the Middle East

The 2021 migrant crisis on the EU's eastern border was the result of the Belarusian regime's exploitation of migrants from the Middle East and North Africa. The crisis was orchestrated by the security apparatus of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, who was facing EU sanctions for human rights abuses and election rigging. In response to these sanctions, Lukashenko threatened to "flood" the EU with "drugs and migrants".

The Belarusian regime, in league with predatory smugglers and travel agencies, encouraged large-scale tourism to Belarus from the Middle East. Hundreds of flights from cities such as Damascus, Istanbul, and Baghdad were added by Belarusian airlines directly to Minsk. Belarusian visas were easily obtainable, and authorities spread misinformation on social media about the ease of entering the EU via Poland, Lithuania, or Latvia. Migrants were instructed on how and where to cross the EU's border and what to tell border guards. They were even provided with wire cutters and axes to cut through border barriers.

The price of the journey varied and could reach up to about $14,000, with migrants paying vast sums to travel agencies, airlines, and hotels connected to the Belarusian state. This proved to be a lucrative operation for the sanctioned regime. Lukashenko's operation was also aided by airlines operating in the Middle East, which increased the frequency of their flights to Minsk. For example, Iraqi Airways doubled the frequency of its Baghdad-Minsk flights, and Belavia, the Belarusian state-owned airline, also provided more offers to Middle Eastern flyers.

The background and motivations of the migrants are also important to consider. Many were fleeing conflicts and poverty in countries like Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan. They liquidated their assets and made the dangerous journey to eastern Europe, often with the ultimate goal of reaching Germany or other western European countries.

The EU accused Lukashenko of manufacturing the crisis and engaging in state-level mass exploitation of migrants. Human Rights Watch and other organizations voiced concerns over the treatment of migrants, including violence, inhumane conditions, and the denial of asylum claims. The crisis resulted in the deaths of at least 20 migrants during the winter of 2021-2022.

While the Belarusian regime's role in the crisis is undeniable, the EU's dysfunctional asylum policies and focus on militarization have also been criticized as factors that contributed to the chaos. Wealthier northern countries outsource the asylum protection process to weaker frontier states, and the concept of asylum is eroded by pushbacks and border violence.

Belarus's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Firstly, Belarus allowed Russia to perform military drills on its territory before the invasion, and these troops did not exit the country as scheduled. Belarus also permitted Russia to launch part of its invasion from Belarusian territory, providing the shortest land route to Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Additionally, Belarus has allowed Russian missile launchers to be stationed on its soil and fire upon Ukrainian targets.

There have been several reports from the Belarusian opposition and the Ukrainian military that Belarusian troops have been fighting alongside Russians in Ukraine. However, these claims have been denied by Belarus's leader, Alexander Lukashenko, who has stated that the Belarusian Armed Forces would not participate directly in the conflict. As of early 2023, the Belarusian Armed Forces have not been involved in fighting against Ukraine and have remained on Belarusian territory. Lukashenko has also assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he will not involve Belarusian armed forces on Russia's side.

Belarus has also provided other forms of support to Russia. For example, Russian troops wounded in Ukraine have been treated in Belarusian hospitals, and Russian soldiers killed in action have been placed in morgues in Belarus. Additionally, Belarus has served as a landing pad for the Russian military to enter Ukraine and has been designated a neutral site for talks between Russia and Ukraine.

The involvement of Belarus in the conflict has been met with widespread condemnation from Western countries, including the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan, which have imposed sanctions on Belarus. Protests against Belarus's involvement have also occurred within the country, although they have been quickly dispersed due to the oppressive nature of the Lukashenko regime.

It is important to note that public opinion polls suggest that Belarusian citizens largely oppose their country's involvement in the conflict and favor neutrality. Despite this, Belarus continues to play a supportive role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, impacting the dynamics of the war and drawing international scrutiny and condemnation.

The EU's sanctions on Belarus

The EU has imposed sanctions on Belarus in response to its involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has supported its eastern neighbour in several ways, including allowing Russian Armed Forces to perform military drills on its territory and providing access to military airbases and army installations. The EU, which does not recognise Lukashenko as the legitimate President of Belarus, sees these actions as a threat to European security and has taken measures to penalise the country.

The first set of sanctions was introduced on 27 February, banning certain categories of Belarusian items in the EU, including timber, steel, mineral fuels and tobacco. These sanctions aimed to restrict Belarus's ability to generate revenue and fund its military support for Russia. The EU also started planning an extension of the sanctions to include Belarusian entities and top officials, similar to those already in place against Russia.

In addition to economic sanctions, the EU has taken steps to isolate Belarus politically. It does not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the legitimate president, instead supporting the pro-democracy opposition led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The EU has also blacklisted several Belarusian individuals and organisations involved in the forced transfer and abduction of Ukrainian children. These individuals and organisations are subject to asset freezes and travel bans within the EU.

It is worth noting that the Belarusian population largely opposes their country's involvement in the conflict. Protests have been held, and according to Chatham House, 79% of Belarusians find the death of Belarusian soldiers in the war unacceptable. Despite this, Lukashenko has maintained his support for Russia, and the sanctions aim to deter him from further aggressive actions.

Belarus's suspension of its participation in the Eastern Partnership

Belarus has been described as "constantly attacking Europe" due to its border tensions with the European Union, its involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and its treatment of journalists, human rights defenders, and civilians.

On June 28, 2021, Belarus announced its suspension of participation in the Eastern Partnership and the Readmission Agreement. This decision was met with strong condemnation from the EaP CSF Steering Committee, which urged Belarusian authorities to reconsider their withdrawal as part of de-escalation with the EU. The Committee also called on the European Union and its member states to continue delivering on the promises of the Eastern Partnership policy to Belarus and to strengthen the involvement of non-state actors, such as civil society organisations, in policy implementation.

The suspension of participation in these agreements is seen as a retaliatory measure by the illegitimate regime in response to EU sanctions. By withdrawing from the Readmission Agreement, Belarus is accused of blackmailing the EU by facilitating illegal migration across its borders. The Belarusian National Platform of the EaP CSF insists on the continued participation of Belarus in the Eastern Partnership and other Belarusian-European initiatives to represent and channel the voice of Belarusian citizens.

The decision to suspend participation in the Eastern Partnership comes at a time when the EU has outlined new priorities for cooperation with Eastern Partners, undermining cooperation and cohesion within the partnership. Despite this, the Steering Committee welcomes the EU's ambitious plan for supporting democratic transition in Belarus, emphasising the role of civil society and non-state actors.

The Eastern Partnership is a joint initiative of the European Union and its Eastern European partners, which aims to promote democracy, good governance, and economic development. The suspension of Belarus's participation has implications for regional cooperation and dialogue between the EU and Belarus.

Frequently asked questions