Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko is threatening that the escalating refugee crisis on the border between Belarus and Poland could affect the EU's energy supply, several news agencies report.
- While we keep Europe warm, they threaten to close our border.
But what happens if we shut off the gas flow to them?
says Lukashenko, according to Russian news agencies.
The refugee crisis is seen by the EU as an attack on Europe and is described as a hybrid attack.
Mr Lukashenko has denied the allegations in a statement issued Friday stating "Similar, baseless allegations concerning Russia's intelligence have been made more than once.
Lukashenko's Foreign Minister Vladimir Makej sounds more conciliatory, reports TT.
Russian bombers are practicing
- We are interested in the crisis being resolved as quickly as possible, Makej says to the news agency Ria in connection with a visit to Moscow.
EU representatives have this week accused Russia of playing a crucial role in the refugee crisis.
Russian bombers have practiced over Belarus on Wednesday and Thursday, and Belarus announces that flights in cooperation with Russia will continue, including along the borders with both the EU countries Poland and Lithuania and against Ukraine, writes TT.