{"id":164249,"date":"2025-11-15T14:30:30","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T11:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/164249\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"minsk-welcomes-warsaws-decision-to-reopen-two-checkpoints","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/164249\/","title":{"rendered":"Minsk welcomes Warsaw\u2019s decision to reopen two checkpoints"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

November 15, <\/strong>Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Minsk has welcomed Warsaw\u2019s decision to reopen Ku\u017anica Bia\u0142ostocka-Bruzhi and Bobrowniki-Bierastavica for traffic on November 17, said the Belarusian foreign ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis step can reinvigorate cross-border trade and make life easier for people. We regard it as a constructive move oriented at the interests of Polish citizens. Unfortunately, Lithuania has not taken similar action,\u201d the statement says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It added that Warsaw\u2019s decision is just the beginning of a journey to the restoration of contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The foreign office issued the statement after today\u2019s meeting of diplomats, security and border officials chaired by Prime Minister Alaksandar Tur\u010dyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It followed Poland\u2019s official announcement of the reopening of the checkpoints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Lithuania closed its last two operating border checkpoints on October 28 in an effort to pressure Minsk to curb cigarette smugglers who have been sending shipments across the border using helium weather balloons. The move prompted Warsaw to delay the reopening of two Polish\u2013Belarusian border crossings originally scheduled for November 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On October 29, the Lithuanian government decided to keep the shared border with Belarus closed until November 30 following repeated airspace violations, warning that the closure may be extended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The checkpoints in Medininkai and \u0160al\u010dininkai had been the only ones handling all cross-border traffic between Lithuania and Belarus after Vilnius closed the \u0160umskas and Tvere\u010dius crossings in 2023 and Lavori\u0161k\u0117s and Raigardas in 2024, citing national security concerns and smuggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarus has described the Lithuanian decision as \u201ca politicized and ill-considered move\u201d that has caused significant losses for transport companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this week, the Belarusian leader instructed Foreign Minister Maksim Ry\u017eanko\u016d to negotiate the reopening of the border with Vilnius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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