Łukašenka orders FM Ryžankoŭ to address border tensions with Lithuania

November 11, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has instructed Foreign Minister Maksim Ryžankoŭ to negotiate “normalizing the situation and resuming full-fledged operation of checkpoints” on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border, his press office reports.
The Belarusian ruler’s move followed today’s meeting with Ryžankoŭ, State Border Committee Chairman Kanstancin Mołastaŭ and Committee for State Security (KGB) chief Ivan Tertel.
Belarusian Security Council head Alaksandar Valfovič will reportedly coordinate talks with Vilnius.
Tensions between Belarus and Lithuania over cigarette-smuggling balloons have been rising since mid-October, forcing Lithuanian authorities to briefly close the border on several occasions and suspend operations at Vilnius Airport, located close to the Belarusian border.
On October 29, the Lithuanian government ruled to keep the shared border with Belarus closed until November 30 following numerous airspace violations. The closure may be extended, Vilnius warned.
Belarus described the Lithuanian decision to close the border as “a politicized and ill-considered move” that has caused significant losses for transport companies. Minsk banned nearly 1,100 Lithuania-registered trucks stranded in Belarus from leaving, linking their release to border reopening.
Lithuania’s top diplomat discusses Minsk’s hybrid threats in Washington
- PoliticsReprisals: KGB harassing students, alumni, lecturers of blacklisted universityThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyLithuania sues Belarus over irregular migrationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics, SecurityChrenin claims “collective West” may be preparing attacks on Belarus, RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Politics, Security
- Poland extends no-go zone at Belarus border until SeptemberThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyRussia said to account for 91 percent of light industry conglomerate’s exportsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyNearly 30 children hospitalized in Barysaŭ with food poisoningThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyTraffic accidents involving animals said to be on the rise in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- SocietyBelarus reports seizing military equipment parts smuggled from Russia to EUThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ gold and foreign exchange reserves reported down 1.5 percent in MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPolitical trials, arrests, searches reported in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyIrregular Belarus-EU crossings peak in May, Latvia primary targetThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsBelarus’ top diplomat discusses food security with minister from North KoreaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyCichanoŭskaja’s aide calls for solidarity with EHU amid raids on students’ families in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka, Putin hold phone talks days after meeting in AstanaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SportInternational Fencing Federation lifts all restrictions on Belarus’ athletesThe material is available only to POZIRK+



