Lukashenko says Belarus could cut gas supply as row with EU heats up

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko yesterday threatened to cut gas supplies to Europe if the EU introduces new sanctions on Belarusian officials and entities.

The move is a sharp escalation of tensions over a migration crisis on the Belarusian-Polish border.

European leaders blame Mr Lukashenko for orchestrating the crisis in retaliation for European sanctions. They accuse him of opening Belarusian borders to migrants, mainly from the Middle East and North Africa, who are trying to reach Europe through Belarus.

They also face a mounting energy crisis, after gas prices soared due to low stocks in Europe, lower-than-expected wind power generation, increased demand in Asia, and Russian reluctance to help bridge the shortfall.

The migrant crisis has become a worrying flash point for tensions between Europe and Belarus, which is backed by its close ally Russia. Poland has deployed thousands of troops along the border, and Russia sent two long-range strategic bombers to patrol the Belarusian border with Europe on Wednesday.

This article originally appeared in Independent I.E