Lithuanian foreign minister accuses Belarus of hybrid action

May 7, Pozirk. Weeks after Minsk accused Vilnius of staging a drone attack on Belarus, the Lithuanian foreign minister expressed concern about frequent false claims coming out of the neighboring country.

Vilnius is “protesting to the Belarusian government” using the available communication channels, Gabrielius Landsbergis said, as quoted by Delfi.lt.

On April 25, KGB Chairman Ivan Tertel told the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly that the intelligence service had prevented combat drone strikes from Lithuania against targets in Minsk and the surrounding area.

The Lithuanian security service dismissed the claim as disinformation, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed the Belarusian charge d’affaires a diplomatic note demanding an immediate denial.

Landsbergis noted that false claims are a “form of hybrid action against a neighbor” with hidden political intentions; the goal is to influence political processes and decisions and create chaos.

“If the situation worsens and there are more such reports from Minsk and Moscow, we would have to talk to our allies, because this is a difficult historical period,” the Lithuanian minister noted.

On May 6, Belarusian Foreign Minister Siarhiej Alejnik warned Lithuanian politicians against “supporting extremists” because this can backfire.

Lithuania shelters thousands of political opponents of the Belarusian government persecuted in their home country for alleged involvement in extremist and terrorist activity.

“History shows that sooner or later every extremist or terrorist group begins to play its own game,” Alejnik said. “And often this game is played against, among others, the countries that supported and financed their activities.”

The Belarusian foreign minister claimed that Lithuania’s authorities are aware of the “paramilitary groups planning a change of power in Belarus” and tolerate their presence on its territory.

Also read: Vilnius urges Minsk to refute KGB chief’s allegations