Lithuania Reopens Border with Belarus

Lithuania Decides to Reopen Two Border Crossings with Belarus Ahead of Schedule

Lithuania has decided to reopen two border crossing points with Belarus, Šalčininkai and Medininkai, earlier than previously planned.

These points were closed at the end of October due to meteorological balloons arriving from Belarus, which disrupted operations at Vilnius Airport. Initially, the restrictions were expected to last until November 30.

According to Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovičius, the circumstances have changed, and the earlier measures are no longer deemed necessary. However, the government has stated that if issues related to contraband balloons reappear, the borders might be closed again.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė noted that the number of meteorological balloons has significantly decreased, and the airport is operating stably. She also mentioned that restoring operations at the checkpoints would only require one day.

On November 17, following Poland's reopening of control points on its border with Belarus, Lithuania held technical discussions with Belarus's border service. During the meeting, matters relating to contraband, migration, and Lithuanian freight trucks stranded in Belarus were addressed.

Rustamas Liubajevas, the head of Lithuania's Border Service, stated that Belarus had expressed readiness to cooperate. The Lithuanian border service demanded an end to contraband schemes and the facilitation of the return of stranded freight trucks to their respective countries.

Previously, Belarus had halted the crossing of Lithuanian freight trucks at the border, resulting in over 1,000 vehicles being placed in a queue. Minsk denied allegations of contraband and claimed that the activities involved Lithuanians themselves.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko criticized Vilnius's decision to close the crossing points, describing it as a "foolish adventure" and an "unworthy action even for a small country." Read “Zamin” on Telegram!