German Interior Minister Dobrindt says Russia, Belarus trying to 'weaponize migration'

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Poland's measures to secure its border with Belarus were having an "enormous impact" on migration while on a visit to the border area.

"Here you can see how effective external border protection is done," Dobrindt told reporters.

Dobrindt said that Russia and Belarus were trying to "weaponize migration" to destabilize Poland, Germany and the EU.

Poland has long accused the leadership of Belarus and Russia of deliberately encouraging illegal border crossings into Poland.

Dobrindt praised the controls Poland had in place in response to Germany's increased border checks.

"We support this," the German minister said, calling it an important contribution to prevent a new EU migration route from Belarus.

"Poland is Germany's most important partner within the EU, alongside our French neighbours," Dobrindt said. https://p.dw.com/p/4xnu2