November 29, Pozirk. A Vilnius-based Belarusian opposition politician has submitted 18 proposals on how to step up pressure on Minsk to stop “hybrid attacks” to Deividas Matulionis, the president’s national security advisor.
The “hybrid attacks” include flights by weather balloons launched by smugglers from Belarus that have disrupted operations of the Vilnius International Airport. Most recently, the airport restricted flights from 11:15 p.m. on November 28 to 7:03 a.m. on November 29 as radars spotted more than 60 balloons.
Dzianis Kučynski, who submitted the proposals on behalf of the Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja’s Office, has not elaborated on specific measures proposed by the opposition camp.
He just said, “The goal of [Alaksandar] Łukašenka is obvious: to weaken Lithuania and force Vilnius to yield to his demands. Lithuania has offered a strong, proportionate and consistent response.”
Minsk insists on diplomatic consultations with Vilnius, but Vilnius refuses to engage. Minsk vented its frustration on November 28, describing the lack of communication as “cynical.”
Lithuania suspended contacts with Belarusian officials after the 2020 presidential election, which it described as rigged, and has not recognized Alaksandar Łukašenka as president. Vilnius provided shelter for Łukašenka’s archrival Cichanoŭskaja.
