Protesters block trucks at Poland-Belarus border causing 30-mile tailback

Protesters on the Polish border have halted a convoy of trucks from entering Belarus amid fears that Russia is using its friendly neighbour to evade EU sanctions.

Hundreds of demonstrators, many draped in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, caused 30 mile tailbacks and prevented up to 1,500 vehicles from crossing into Belarus yesterday.

Pictures from the standoff show the huge line of lorries stretching back as far as the eye can see, while protesters burned wood and cardboard to stay warm throughout the night.

On March 15, the EU imposed a fourth package of economic sanctions on Russia in response to its military aggression against Ukraine.

The new measures placed restrictions on the trade in iron, steel and luxury goods, and prohibited new investment in Russia’s energy sector.

The Russian economy has suffered dramatically since the USA and other European partners began imposing tough fiscal penalties on it after the country invaded Ukraine a month ago.

Some experts believed Russia may be facing the worst hit to its finances since the cold war due to pressure exerted by Western countries.