November 27, Pozirk. The Lithuanian National Security Commission concluded its meeting in Vilnius without deciding to close the border with Belarus, despite recent incidents in which cigarette-smuggling balloons disrupted operations at the capital’s airport.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said Lithuania has filed a complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) over the disruptions and is considering legal action at the UN International Court of Justice. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing new sanctions against Belarus, LRT reported.
The commission also reviewed options for securing the return of Lithuanian trucks stranded in Belarus during and after the border closure from October 29 to November 20.
Ruginienė dismissed media reports claiming that around 5,000 trucks remain stuck, saying the actual figure is about 280 vehicles owned by both Belarusian and Lithuanian transport companies.
Lietuvos Rytas quoted the prime minister as saying that customs officials have proposed ways to repatriate the trailers and reduce financial losses, even though the trucks themselves are still barred from leaving Belarus.
The commission further discussed possible responses to emerging security threats. The Ministry of Defense and the Lithuanian Armed Forces have been instructed to present a draft of a new strategic plan within a week.
“Air defense is a priority, and we may need to reassess plans drawn up five or more years ago,” Ruginienė said.
Next week, the Ministry of Economy and Innovation is expected to present proposals from 35 participants in a competition seeking practical solutions for dealing with the smuggling balloons launched from Belarus.
Tensions between Lithuania and Belarus over the balloon-borne smuggling operations have escalated since mid-October. The balloons have forced Lithuanian authorities to temporarily close the border several times and suspend operations at Vilnius Airport, which lies close to the Belarusian frontier.
The Medininkai–Kamienny Łoh and Šalčininkai–Bieniakoni border checkpoints remained closed from October 29 to November 20. Lithuania’s move prompted Poland to delay the reopening of two Polish–Belarusian crossings until mid-November.
Meanwhile, Minsk has been pushing for consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministries. Vilnius, however, sees such talks as an attempt by the regime of Alaksandar Łukašenka to break its international isolation and potentially ease sanctions.
Lithuania remains reluctant to enter negotiations, having scaled back official contacts with Belarus following what it deemed the rigged 2020 presidential election.
