Lithuanian FM: Minsk seeks meeting of diplomats to break its isolation, ease sanctions  

November 26, Pozirk. Minsk is insisting on consultations at the level of foreign ministries in an effort to break the international isolation of Alaksandar Łukašenka’s regime and potentially pave the way for easing sanctions, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said.

Minsk is attempting to influence Lithuania’s policies through blackmail “in a gangster-like manner,” he told LRT, commenting on the more than 1,200 Lithuanian trucks currently stranded in Belarus.

However, Lithuania already has channels other than diplomatic ones for exchanging positions with Belarus, he noted.

With EU sanctions against Belarus likely to be extended in February, Minsk could again seize property to veto the restrictions, Budrys warned, referring to the trucks that are being prevented from leaving Belarusian territory. Belarusian authorities are seeking the lifting of European sanctions, which are “very painful for them economically and financially,” he added.

On Monday, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryžankou dismissed Lithuania’s concerns about border tensions as “hysteria,” demanding a meeting of diplomats to address the issues.

The stranded trucks had entered Belarus before Lithuania closed the border in late October. They remain parked in designated holding areas even after Vilnius reopened the Medininkai–Kamienny Łoh and Šalčininkai–Bieniakoni crossing points on November 20. Lithuania has accused Belarus of escalating tensions by seizing the vehicles and blocking their return.

Last week, Minsk proposed consultations between the countries’ foreign ministries to establish a mechanism ensuring stable border-crossing procedures and preventing future closures, a proposal Lukashenka reiterated on Monday.

Vilnius is reluctant to accept the invitation, as Lithuania curtailed official contacts with Minsk after what it described as the rigged 2020 presidential election.

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Nausėda: smuggling must be addressed by border services, not diplomats

November 26, Pozirk. Lithuania is ready to cooperate with Belarus at a technical level to resolve tensions over cigarette-smuggling balloon incursions, Delfi reports, citing Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda. Alaksandar Łukašenka’s regime is trying to exploit uncertainty over the Ukraine peace …

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