The autocratic regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka is intensifying its ongoing cold war against Europe.
Over the course of the past week, the Belarus dictator threatened to disrupt international supply chains between Europe and Asia, called for the closure of the international border with Ukraine, and announced provocative military exercises near the Belarusian frontier with EU and NATO members Poland and Lithuania. Those moves come as Lukashenka also doubled down on his ongoing efforts to provoke an illegal migration crisis in Europe.
The conflict between Lukashenka and Europe has been escalating since the disputed August 2020 presidential election in Belarus, which sparked mass protests and a brutal crackdown. These tensions have escalated markedly and steadily following the effective hijacking in May 2021 of Ryanair Flight 4978, which was en route from Athens to Vilnius through Belarusian airspace, and the arrest of dissident journalist Raman Pratasevich, who was on board.