EXPLAINER: What’s behind the crisis at Belarus-Poland border

By YURAS KARMANAU
Associated Press

Thousands of migrants and refugees in Belarus are trying to enter the European Union through Poland. Many of them are stranded at the border and staying in makeshift camps as Polish security forces watch them from behind a razor-wire fence and try to keep them from crossing over. The EU has accused Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko of promoting illegal migration in retaliation for sanctions imposed against his authoritarian government. Lukashenko denies encouraging the flow of migrants and assails Poland and other EU members of violating the rights of asylum-seekers by denying them safe passage. sh security forces watch them from behind a razor-wire fence and try to keep them from crossing over.