EU Warns Belarus Of More Sanctions If They Do Not Call Off A Joint Grouping Of Troops With Russia

 

Euronews: Belarus: EU warns Lukashenko of sanctions over joint grouping of troops with Russia 

The European Commission on Monday raised the spectre of further sanctions against Belarus, urging Minsk to stop spreading "false accusations" against Ukraine and to call off a joint grouping of troops with Russia. 

Belarus' autocratic leader Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, reiterated claims on Monday during a meeting with military and security officials that "carrying out strikes on the territory of Belarus is not just being discussed, it is being planned in Ukraine."  

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WNU Editor: Belarus is not going to comply to these EU demands.

Belarus Announces ‘Temporary’ Closure For Unscheduled Repairs Of Oil Pipeline To EU

Gomeltransneft Druzhba oil pipeline. transoil.by

RT: Belarus announces ‘temporary’ closure of oil pipeline to EU  

Belarus has announced “unscheduled repairs” are needed on a branch of the ‘Friendship’ pipeline carrying oil supplies from Russia through the country to a number of EU states, insisting that maintenance work will take three days.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Russian energy export giant Transneft said supplies could face short-term disruption. Spokesman Igor Demin told journalists he had been informed the impromptu repair work should be finished by the weekend. 

The pipeline connects oil fields in Central Russia to consumers in Poland, Hungary, Czechia and Germany.  

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Update: Belarus Reduces Poland’s Oil Supplies for Unscheduled Maintenance (Moscow Times)  

WNU Editor: I have a good friend who works in the energy industry in Russia. He just told me this maintenance is nothing new. 

That may be true. But no one is going to believe this "closure for maintenance" excuse. 

Belarus is in a war of words with Europe, and the Kremlin sees this German action on a critical pipeline as an economic threat .... Germany Suspends Approval For Russia's Nord Stream 2 Gas Pipeline. Natural Gas Prices Explode In Europe (November 16, 2021). 

This is a breaking news story. Even though the pipeline carries oil, it will be seen by Europe as a threat from the Kremlin that natural gas pipelines may be the next infrastructure that needs "maintenance". 

Here is an easy prediction. Within a few hours natural gas prices are going to spike on the continent, and it will be one of the top news story in Europe.

Belarus Threatens To Cut Off Natural Gas Supplies From Russia To Europe If More Sanctions Are Imposed

Alexander Lukashenko. president.gov.by  

Daily Mail: Lukashenko threatens to cut off gas to Europe as migrant crisis escalates: Putin's nuclear planes hold fresh bombing drills over Belarus and EU considers Trump-style border wall in major U-turn 

* Alexander Lukashenko today warned: 'If [the EU] impose additional sanctions on us ... we must respond' 

* 'We are warming Europe, and they are threatening us,' Lukashenko said, referring to a major Russian pipeline 

* Yamal-Europe pipeline passes through Belarus and represents 20% of Russia's supplying capacity into Europe 

* Thousands of migrants have gathered at Belarus-Poland border this week trying to force their way into the EU 

* Brussels admitted it was considering Trump-style wall to bolster defences, as well as new sanctions on Minsk 

* EU accuses Belarus of 'weaponising' migrants and Kremlin is accused of helping them to ship in refugees 

* Putin lent fresh support to Lukashenko today by sending two nuclear bombers to carry out drills over Belarus 

Belarusian tyrant Alexander Lukashenko has threatened to cut off gas to Europe after the EU said he would be slapped with new sanctions for 'weaponising' migrants at the Polish border. 

Thousands of migrants have gathered at the Belarus-Poland border this week trying to force their way into the EU, prompting Poland to deploy 15,000 troops along the line. 

Belarusian soldiers have been cutting holes in the barbed wire fence and some 400 migrants, mostly from Syria and Iraq, poured across the frontier last night, a police source told MailOnline.  

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WNU Editor: A good chunk of Russia's natural gas exports transits Belarus on its way to Europe. I also know that Russia's Gazprom pays a lot of money to Belarus for the right to use this transit, and they do so because Europe is now paying a premium this gas. 

Another reminder. These gas exports are a huge source of revenue for the Kremlin's budget. 

Bottom line. If Belarus is stupid enough to cut-off this supply, there will be a quick response from Russian President Putin's office against Lukashenko.

More News On Belarus Threatening To Cut Off Natural Gas Supplies From Russia To Europe If More Sanctions Are Imposed  

Belarus warns against new EU sanctions, says could cut gas -- France 24  

Lukashenko threatens EU with gas cutoff as border tensions rise -- Politico  

Belarus leader floats idea of cutting gas to Europe in migrant standoff -- Reuters  

Belarus leader threatens to shut off natural gas to Europe -- The Hill