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Vilnius signals readiness for lower-level dialogue with Belarus
Deividas Matulionis
April 21, Pozirk. Vilnius is not ruling out dialogue with Minsk at a “lower political level,” Deividas Matulionis, a senior aide to the Lithuanian president, has told Žinių Radijas.
Dialogue is under consideration and exists in some form, but the other side must also show goodwill, Delfi reported, citing the official. However, this form of dialogue and existing contacts do not signal any shift in Lithuania’s policy, he said, adding that there are currently no grounds for such a change.
Earlier, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said he would like to see excellent relations with Belarus. Responding, Rusłan Varankoŭ, spokesman at the Belarusian foreign ministry, reaffirmed Minsk’s intentions of having “good-neighborly and mutually beneficial relations with Lithuania” and its desire to “normalize them.” Belarus is “fully prepared for constructive dialogue,” he added.
On April 2, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said that Vilnius expects signs of goodwill from Minsk over the next few weeks, reflecting genuine efforts to normalize relations. He set out conditions which include an end to irregular crossings by third-country migrants via Belarus and to incursions of cigarette-smuggling balloons, as well as safe return of all stranded Lithuanian trucks.
Minsk has been insisting on political-level contacts with Vilnius, yet Lithuania rejected direct diplomatic talks, having significantly downgraded official contacts after what it described as Belarus’ rigged 2020 presidential election.
Vilnius views the political negotiations with Minsk as an attempt to break the international isolation of Alaksandar Łukašenka’s regime and potentially pave the way for easing sanctions.
Lithuania’s president lists conditions for engagement with Minsk
April 2, Pozirk. Vilnius expects signs of goodwill from Minsk over the next few weeks, reflecting genuine efforts to normalize relations, Delfi reports, citing Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda as saying. The politician set out conditions for Lithuania to start considering …
