UPDATE - Putin must follow up his words with deeds to end Belarus border crisis: Germany

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY MAAS

BERLIN (AA) - Germany on Monday called on Russia to put its rhetoric into practice and exercise its influence over Belarus to end the migrant crisis.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas spoke cautiously about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer to help resolve the crisis at the EU borders.

“Putin is certainly the one who can simply use his influence on (President Alexander) Lukashenko to end this really inhuman attempt,” he said, accusing Belarus of using migrants as a political tool to put pressure on the EU.

“If Putin can provide help, he should do so. He should not only talk about it, he should follow up his words with deeds,” he added.

Tensions between EU member states and Belarus escalated last week after hundreds of migrants, mostly from Middle East countries, headed to the country's western border with Poland, trying to breach the barriers.

Maas also said EU foreign ministers will adopt tougher sanctions on Belarus, targeting further individuals and entities who facilitate illegal immigration.

He said they will also continue talks with countries of origin and transit and international airlines to prevent potential migrants from traveling to Belarus.

Maas also thanked Turkish Airlines for taking necessary steps to stem the migrant wave, adding that other airlines should follow its example.

EU members accuse Lukashenko of engaging in a form of “hybrid warfare” and using migrants as a weapon to destabilize European countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed claims that the Kremlin is engineering the recent migrant crisis, saying Moscow is ready to facilitate efforts to resolve the problem.

“We are ready to do our utmost (to help resolve the situation) if there is anything we can do," he told state channel Rossiya-1 on Saturday.​​​​​​​