Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has issued a warning to the European Union against the imposition of new sanctions amid the ongoing border dispute between them.

Vowing retaliation, Lukashenko said he will shut down the transit of natural gas and goods via Belarus to the bloc.

"We are heating Europe, they are still threatening us that they will close the border. And if we shut off natural gas there? Therefore, I would recommend that the Polish leadership, Lithuanians and other headless people think before speaking," Lukashenko said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-poland-belarus-border-migrant-crisis-russia-flies-bombers-over-belarus-428313">Also read |&nbsp;Amid Poland-Belarus border migrant crisis, Russia flies bombers over Belarus</a>

Migrants have been trying to cross the Belarus-Poland border for months but the crisis reached a new level when hundreds made a concerted effort this week and were pushed back by Polish borders guards.

Western governments accuse Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko of luring them to his country and sending them to cross into EU member Poland in retaliation for the sanctions.

Poland has accused Minsk of "state terrorism" for using intimidation to force migrants to breach the border.

Belarus has in turn accused Poland of violating international norms by blocking the migrants and beating them back with violence.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-masterminding-the-migrant-crisis-at-poland-belarus-border-claims-polish-pm-428130">Putin masterminding the migrant crisis at Poland-Belarus border, claims Polish PM</a>

Caught in between, the migrants -- who are mainly from the Middle East -- are stuck in freezing conditions.

Belarus has received strong support from its main ally, Russia, which has helped buttress Lukashenko’s government with loans and political support.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the migrants flows resulted from the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and Western-backed Arab Spring uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. He challenged the EU to offer financial assistance to Belarus to deal with the influx.

At the same time, the Kremlin angrily rejected Poland’s claim that Russia bears responsibility for the crisis.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has issued a warning to the European Union against the imposition of new sanctions amid the ongoing border dispute between them.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has issued a warning to the European Union against the imposition of new sanctions amid the ongoing border dispute between them. Vowing retaliation, Lukashenko said he will shut down the transit of natural gas and goods via Belarus to the bloc. "We are heating Europe, they are still threatening us that they will close the border. And if we shut off natural gas there? Therefore, I would recommend that the Polish leadership, Lithuanians and other headless people think before speaking," Lukashenko said. Also read | Amid Poland-Belarus border migrant crisis, Russia flies bombers over Belarus Migrants have been trying to cross the Belarus-Poland border for months but the crisis reached a new level when hundreds made a concerted effort this week and were pushed back by Polish borders guards. Western governments accuse Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko of luring them to his country and sending them to cross into EU member Poland in retaliation for the sanctions. Poland has accused Minsk of "state terrorism" for using intimidation to force migrants to breach the border. Belarus has in turn accused Poland of violating international norms by blocking the migrants and beating them back with violence. Also Read: Putin masterminding the migrant crisis at Poland-Belarus border, claims Polish PM Caught in between, the migrants -- who are mainly from the Middle East -- are stuck in freezing conditions. Belarus has received strong support from its main ally, Russia, which has helped buttress Lukashenko’s government with loans and political support. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the migrants flows resulted from the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and Western-backed Arab Spring uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. He challenged the EU to offer financial assistance to Belarus to deal with the influx. At the same time, the Kremlin angrily rejected Poland’s claim that Russia bears responsibility for the crisis.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko warns European Union against new sanctions

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki accused the EU of "blackmail" during a public clash with the EU chief over Poland's rejection of parts of EU law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Speaking during a public confrontation with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen,&nbsp;Morawiecki said that&nbsp;"it is unacceptable to talk about financial penalties... I will not have EU politicians blackmail Poland."

In her remarks, Von der Leyen warned that her Commission, which is tasked as the guardian of EU treaties, would "act" to rein Poland in.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/polish-court-calls-parts-of-eu-law-unconstitutional-dispute-escalates-419090">Polish court calls parts of EU law unconstitutional, dispute escalates</a>

Enumerating the legal, financial, and political options being considered, she said, "We cannot and we will not allow our common values to be put at risk."&nbsp;

A Polish Constitutional Court ruling on October 7 had raised questions about parts of EU law, igniting long-simmering tensions between Poland and Brussels.

This dispute, which took place in the European Parliament, emphasized the severity of the topic, which both Brussels and Warsaw claim threatens the cohesion of the 27-nation bloc.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-calls-poland-court-ruling-attack-against-eu-419132">France calls Poland court ruling 'attack against EU'</a>

Analysts said the partial rejection of EU supremacy could be the first step in Poland's eventual departure from the European Union.

Morawiecki maintained, however, that Poland's place was in the European Union, with EU law derived from the EU's treaties only applicable in specified areas and Poland's national constitution supreme in all other areas.

What can the EU do?

Withholding recovery cash from a pooled EU fund that was established for the bloc to recover from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic could be one of the measures the Commission uses against Poland.

Poland's request for 23 billion euros in grants and 34 billion euros in cheap loans, is still being considered by the Commission, which it&nbsp;said&nbsp;could be subject to conditions.

In a letter released on Monday, Morawiecki described this as "financial blackmail, punishment, 'starving' of unsubordinated states".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-eu-spat-will-respect-european-law-says-polish-foreign-ministry-419484">Poland-EU spat: Will respect European law, says Polish foreign ministry</a>

For its part, Poland can play a spoiler in a number of key EU policy areas that require unanimity among the 27 member states, including its position on climate change and migration.&nbsp;It also has the support of Hungary, another bete noire for Brussels, seen to be flouting the rule of law.

On Thursday and Friday, EU leaders will meet in Brussels. With the Netherlands and Luxembourg particularly critical of Warsaw, Poland could rise to the top of its agenda.

Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's foreign minister, said ahead of an EU European affairs ministers meeting on Tuesday: "Europe will not survive if rule of law falls. That's very clear."

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Will Poland leave the European Union?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-poland-leave-the-european-union-420257/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The European Commission and Parliament have taken Warsaw to task, for moves to scrap judges' independence and other policies that are seen as regressive to democratic norms.

Additionally, they have sharply criticized Poland's extreme social policies, including restrictions on LGBTQ rights and a near-total ban on abortions pushed by the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki accused the EU of "blackmail" during a public clash with the EU chief over Poland's rejection of parts of EU law. Speaking during a public confrontation with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, Morawiecki said that "it is unacceptable to talk about financial penalties.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki accused the EU of "blackmail" during a public clash with the EU chief over Poland's rejection of parts of EU law. Speaking during a public confrontation with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, Morawiecki said that "it is unacceptable to talk about financial penalties... I will not have EU politicians blackmail Poland." In her remarks, Von der Leyen warned that her Commission, which is tasked as the guardian of EU treaties, would "act" to rein Poland in. Also read | Polish court calls parts of EU law unconstitutional, dispute escalates Enumerating the legal, financial, and political options being considered, she said, "We cannot and we will not allow our common values to be put at risk." A Polish Constitutional Court ruling on October 7 had raised questions about parts of EU law, igniting long-simmering tensions between Poland and Brussels. This dispute, which took place in the European Parliament, emphasized the severity of the topic, which both Brussels and Warsaw claim threatens the cohesion of the 27-nation bloc. Also read | France calls Poland court ruling 'attack against EU' Analysts said the partial rejection of EU supremacy could be the first step in Poland's eventual departure from the European Union. Morawiecki maintained, however, that Poland's place was in the European Union, with EU law derived from the EU's treaties only applicable in specified areas and Poland's national constitution supreme in all other areas. What can the EU do? Withholding recovery cash from a pooled EU fund that was established for the bloc to recover from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic could be one of the measures the Commission uses against Poland. Poland's request for 23 billion euros in grants and 34 billion euros in cheap loans, is still being considered by the Commission, which it said could be subject to conditions. In a letter released on Monday, Morawiecki described this as "financial blackmail, punishment, 'starving' of unsubordinated states". Also read | Poland-EU spat: Will respect European law, says Polish foreign ministry For its part, Poland can play a spoiler in a number of key EU policy areas that require unanimity among the 27 member states, including its position on climate change and migration. It also has the support of Hungary, another bete noire for Brussels, seen to be flouting the rule of law. On Thursday and Friday, EU leaders will meet in Brussels. With the Netherlands and Luxembourg particularly critical of Warsaw, Poland could rise to the top of its agenda. Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's foreign minister, said ahead of an EU European affairs ministers meeting on Tuesday: "Europe will not survive if rule of law falls. That's very clear." Watch | Gravitas: Will Poland leave the European Union? The European Commission and Parliament have taken Warsaw to task, for moves to scrap judges' independence and other policies that are seen as regressive to democratic norms. Additionally, they have sharply criticized Poland's extreme social policies, including restrictions on LGBTQ rights and a near-total ban on abortions pushed by the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party.

EU-Poland spat: Polish PM accuses EU of 'blackmail'

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko warns European Union against new sanctions

EU-Poland spat: Polish PM accuses EU of 'blackmail'