Lukashenka calls for closing border with Ukraine

Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenka ordered the
closure of the country’s border with Ukraine on July 2. Lukashenka claimed that
the Ukrainian government was sending arms to rebels in Belarus, rferl.org
reports. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry responded by contradicting Lukashenka
regarding the arms and stating that only the people of Belarus would be hurt by
such a closure. No official statement had been received by the Ukrainian
government regarding any border closures.

James Hydzik: The closure of the border would be a turning point in solidifying the
geopolitical situation in the CEE area, and a step closer to a new Cold War.
Whether this is just bluster or a test of western reaction or for domestic
consumption, or, more likely, all of the above, it does nothing to improve
stability in the region.