"Putin has close ties with [Belarusian President Alexander] Lukashenko, he must have his ways to react, to put pressure, diplomatic or other, since the countries are connected by history, neighbourhood, economic and political cooperation", Le Drian told French broadcaster RTL, adding "President Putin promised to intervene in the situation, I hope he will do so".
The French foreign minister also noted that it is important to maintain dialogue with Russia on matters of common interest even if it sometimes acts as an "unbearable neighbour".
The statement comes after on 15 November the French and Russian leaders agreed over the phone to cooperate on mitigating the migration crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border.
Over the past few weeks, thousands of migrants from the Middle East have amassed at the border between Belarus and Poland in the hope to enter the European Union.
Migrants gather near a barbed wire fence in an attempt to cross the border with Poland in the Grodno region, Belarus November 8, 2021
© REUTERS / BelTA
Poland stepped up border guard and deployed the military to prevent illegal border crossings. Warsaw accuses Minsk of facilitating the migration crisis, but the Belarusian government denies all allegations.
Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have been reporting an influx of migrants from Belarus since summer, claiming it was orchestrated by Minsk in retaliation for EU sanctions over alleged human rights violations in the country. The EU has in turn adopted a new package of sanctions on Belarus over the matter.
Moscow said it was in contact with the EU and Belarus concerning the issue.