{"id":166641,"date":"2025-12-03T12:01:45","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T09:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/166641\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"lithuanias-top-diplomat-pushes-for-new-sanctions-on-minsk","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/166641\/","title":{"rendered":"Lithuania’s top diplomat pushes for new sanctions on Minsk"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n \"\"\n
\n \n
\n (tv3.lt)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

December 3, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>The only possible response to hybrid attacks by Alaksandar Luka\u0161enka\u2019s regime is the introduction of new sectoral sanctions against Belarus, Lithuanian Foreign Minister K\u0119stutis Budrys told Lithuanian MEPs in Brussels yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event took place ahead of the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting, the ministry\u2019s press office reported.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Budrys reaffirmed his earlier position, accusing \u0141uka\u0161enka of seeking international legitimacy by pressuring Lithuania and urging negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tensions between Belarus and Lithuania over cigarette-smuggling balloons have been rising since mid-October, forcing Lithuanian authorities to briefly close the border on several occasions and suspend operations at Vilnius Airport, located close to the Belarusian border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minsk has been pushing for consultations between the countries\u2019 foreign ministries, yet Lithuania views potential talks as an effort to break the international isolation of \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s regime and potentially pave the way for easing sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vilnius is also reluctant to launch negotiations, as Lithuania curtailed official contacts with Minsk after what it described as the rigged 2020 presidential election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithuanian officials stress the need for a stronger, more coordinated European Union response to ongoing provocations by Minsk, which include airspace violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced new sanctions on Belarus following a phone call with Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus\u0117da.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"