"Let Kolya Be Deprived of Bananas and Pineapples"

Belarusians are outraged by new surprises on the border with Ukraine and the EU.

The summer has not gained strength yet, but the authorities have other "surprise" for Belarusians: from July 1 it is allowed to import only up to 5 kg of fruits and vegetables.

The new ban is a consequence of the decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission, which comes into force in two days. It clearly states that one person can bring up to 5 kg of vegetables and fruits, as well as up to three bouquets of flowers to the territory of the EEU countries (Belarus, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan).

What do the Belarusians living near the border trying to save as much money as possible think about the other "gift" from the authorities? Readers from Kobryn and Brest told Charter97.org about it.

Aliaksandr Mekh, activist from Kobryn:

- The most insulting thing is that this is not just an" innovation "of the authorities. This is a consequence of the Lukashenka's signature under the common Customs Code with Russia and the countries of the EEU. It means that fruits and flowers are the first swallow. The situation will deteriorate every day for resident of the Brest region.

Vegetables and fruits hit the pocket of Belarusians who go abroad not so much. It will be even worse when the restriction of €300 is introduced for household appliances, tires and other products since 2018. This is what will undermine the budget of those living near the border. After all, the main purpose of family trips abroad was expensive household appliances, spare parts and tires. The purchase of these things abroad could save 40-50% of money. This is the "piece"Belarusian families will be taken away.

- What is the reaction of Kobryn?

- These news our citizens learn from independent sites. For example, Charter97.org.

It turns out that in such situations people have more trust in alternative sources of information - and that's good. There is too much official and Russian propaganda. One should tell the truth.

People read this news, and then a murmur and indignation starts when standing in queues in stores or on the same border. It proves some shifts in people's minds.

Such news cannot but make one angry. Every day the cost of living is increasing in Belarus: prices grow, salaries drop.

Everyone does his best to survive: someone exports diesel fuel, others import cigarettes and other things from abroad. The authorities themselves brought the people to this. And now people standing in the queue on the border should also worry whether they are fined for a couple of extra tomatoes. These restrictions are an illustration of the attitude of our authorities towards the people, and people's discontent is accumulating.

- Palina Sharenda-Panasyuk, activist of the European Belarus civil campaign, mother of two children from Brest:

- Restrictions on vegetables and fruits which are much cheaper in Poland and Ukraine and which many Belarusians buy for their children are outrageous. I can say without exaggeration that it is an act of genocide, a time bomb for the health of our nation.

The point is not only that these products are 2-3 times more expensive in Belarus. There is a guarantee that goods are of high quality, that they have not been cultivated on Chernobyl lands.

- But after all, state officials, at least some, also have children...

- They do not care about these restrictions. If we take into account the size of smuggling of Polish apples to Russia, it becomes clear that they will not limit themselves.

They say that bananas and pineapples are cultivated for Kolya Lukashenka all year round in special greenhouses near Minsk. He has everything he wants. And we should import no more than 5 kg for our children!

How do they dare save on fruits and vegetables for children? Let Kolya was deprived of bananas and pineapples! And they "expand" agricultural areas on the former Chernobyl lands and offer us radioactive apples.