Lithuania fears migrant influx during NATO summit

May 31, BPN. Lithuania is preparing for a possible surge in illegal migrants from Belarus during the NATO summit to be held in Vilnius on July 11 and 12, according to Delfi.

The head of the Lithuanian border guard service, Rustamas Liubajevas, said that Belarus might use migrants to destabilize Lithuania. But he added that the border was under control and monitored by various agencies.

The NATO summit is expected to attract 40-50 foreign delegations and about 2,000 members of non-governmental organizations and media. Lithuania plans to tighten control over the border for seven days and involve customs officers, snipers and border guards from neighboring countries and the EU.

The migration crisis at the border between Belarus and EU countries began in the spring of 2021 and intensified after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Poland is the most popular destination for migrants. The Baltic states and Poland blame Belarus for the trouble.