Wednesday November 10, 2021
Lukashenko’s helpers in sight
Maas threatens further EU sanctions
In the refugee dispute, Federal Foreign Minister Maas wants to tighten the thumbscrews against the Belarusian ruler Lukashenko. He also does not rule out an extension of the sanctions to other areas of the economy.
The acting Foreign Minister Heiko Maas advocates sanctions against anyone involved in the smuggling of refugees to Belarus. “Nobody should be allowed to take part in Lukashenko’s inhumane activities with impunity,” said the SPD politician during the night, referring to the behavior of the ruler Alexander Lukashenko. This applies to countries of origin and transit, but also to airlines that enable people to be transported to Belarus.
The European Union is ready to “draw clear conclusions here”. The EU accuses Lukashenko of deliberately bringing migrants into the country in order to then bring them to the border with Poland for onward travel to the EU. It stands to reason that the rulers are seeking revenge for the sanctions that the EU has imposed because of the repression of civil society and the democratic opposition.
On the EU’s external border between Poland and Belarus, thousands of people are now hoping to come to the West under extremely adverse conditions. “The pictures and impressions that we get from the Belarusian border area are appalling,” said Maas in his written statement. “Mr. Lukashenko continues to turn a dangerous spiral of escalation from which there is no way out for himself. He unscrupulously uses people seeking refuge as hostages for his cynical power game.” But the EU cannot be blackmailed.
“We don’t leave anyone alone in need”
The SPD politician also spoke out in favor of further direct EU sanctions against Belarus. “Lukashenko has to realize that his calculation is not working. Incidentally, that does not rule out extending the sanctions to other areas of the economy in the future.” Some economic sectors such as the potash industry and energy industry are already subject to punitive measures.
Maas has only been acting minister since the end of October, but is involved in the coalition negotiations with the FDP and the Greens. He also promised humanitarian aid for refugees on the border. “We do not leave anyone alone in need, that is one of the basic values of every European state, and we will uphold these common values at the EU’s external borders,” said Maas. Various organizations are ready. According to diplomats, the permanent representatives of the governments of the EU countries want to launch an expansion of sanctions this Wednesday. They could be decided at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday.