Russia undertook a rare step of sending two nuclear-capable strategic bombers to patrol Belarus' airspace on Wednesday, in a sign of support for its close ally. Belarus has been embroiled in a migrant standoff with the EU.

Moscow's decision to escalate the situation came as the 27-nation European Union considered Belarus' actions as a legal basis for additional sanctions. The sanctions could be implemented as soon as next week and aim at more than 30 individuals and entities, including Belarus' foreign minister and its national airline.

Poland asks for NATO's help

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Migrants from West Asia, Afghanistan, and Africa stranded in Belarus tried several times overnight to force their way into Poland, according to Warsaw, which announced that the border had been reinforced with additional guards.

Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, urged states to de-escalate and address the "intolerable" crisis.

In a closed-door conference, Poland briefed fellow NATO countries about the situation. From their part, NATO countries pledged their support, according to an alliance official. Poland had already mobilized 10,000 soldiers to its frontier with Belarus.

Belarus was accused of mounting a "hybrid attack" by sending migrants across the border into Poland by the European Union on Wednesday, clearing the path for tougher sanctions against Minsk in a crisis that threatens to engulf Russia and NATO.

The EU was held responsible for the situation by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Today as well, The Kremlin had accused Europe of failing to live up to its own humanitarian values and of attempting to "strangle" Belarus by closing a portion of the border. The EU imposing sanctions on Belarus over the issue, according to Moscow, is unacceptable.