Belarus-Ukraine border closed

Belarus has decided to close its border with Ukraine. Belarus is claiming that the arms smugglers are using the borders to smuggle the arms into the country. President Alexander Lukashenko says that it is one of the parts of the attempts which outside powers are imposing on them. However, the outside powers want to overthrow this authoritarian regime.

Mr. Lukashenko has also made his claim without providing proof. He said that his security services had uncovered foreign-backed terrorist sleeper cells. The sleeper cells are also plotting to oust him from this power.

He said, “They have crossed the line. We cannot forgive them.” He also alleged that the weapons which are getting shipped in this country are getting backed up by major foreign rivals. The weapons getting shipped to the terrorist cells are getting funds from Germany, Lithuania, Ukraine, Poland, and the US.

Mr. Lukashenko also made his allegations clearer at a ceremony that marked the 30 years of independence of the country following the collapse of the Soviet Union. He said, “A huge amount of weapons is coming from Ukraine to Belarus. That’s why I ordered border-security forces to fully close the border with Ukraine.”

He said that he is ready to confront Angela Markel of Germany and other leads about the claims. Ukraine has denied its interference in the domestic affairs of Belarus. The country also said that closing this 1084 Km of the border would ultimately make its people suffer.

Belarus shares its border with Ukraine in its south. It has borders with Poland and Lithuania in its west. Belarus has a border in its North with Latvia and Russia in its east. However, this move of closing the border is dependent on the standoff between the outside power and Belarus.

In May, the government of Belarus has prompted its international outrage. It also forced a Ryanair flight to land and arrested a government critic who was onboard. In return, the Western countries imposed their sanctions on Belarus.

Credits: BBC