From Poland, among others, there is criticism that Russia, an ally of Belarus, is behind the conflict. But President Putin has strongly contradicted this in an interview with Russian state broadcaster Vesti. He also said he hoped that German Chancellor Merkel and Lukashenko would soon meet.
According to him, the migrants mainly want to go to Germany. Putin and Merkel have spoken over the phone several times about the refugee crisis. Merkel has asked Putin to intervene, Moscow says it wants to mediate in the conflict.
Cut off gas supply
Lukashenko has threatened to cut gas supplies to the EU if the Polish government builds a border wall or EU sanctions against Belarus are stepped up.
Putin argues that Lukashenko did not consult him about this and warned that cutting off the gas supply would damage the relationship between Russia and the EU and Russia and Belarus.
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