Łukašenka orders FM Ryžankoŭ to address border tensions with Lithuania

November 11, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has instructed Foreign Minister Maksim Ryžankoŭ to negotiate “normalizing the situation and resuming full-fledged operation of checkpoints” on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border, his press office reports.
The Belarusian ruler’s move followed today’s meeting with Ryžankoŭ, State Border Committee Chairman Kanstancin Mołastaŭ and Committee for State Security (KGB) chief Ivan Tertel.
Belarusian Security Council head Alaksandar Valfovič will reportedly coordinate talks with Vilnius.
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.
On October 29, the Lithuanian government ruled to keep the shared border with Belarus closed until November 30 following numerous airspace violations. The closure may be extended, Vilnius warned.
Belarus described the Lithuanian decision to close the border as “a politicized and ill-considered move” that has caused significant losses for transport companies. Minsk banned nearly 1,100 Lithuania-registered trucks stranded in Belarus from leaving, linking their release to border reopening.
Lithuania’s top diplomat discusses Minsk’s hybrid threats in Washington
- Economy, PoliticsFM spokesman takes swipe at Lithuania over nuclear powerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUCP stalwart Mikałaj Kazłoŭ recommended for opposition’s law and order chiefThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityAttack on Iran failed, Łukašenka saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Society, SportHandball legend Rusianka elected as head of Belarus’ basketball federationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsLukašenka says Minsk discussing prisoner releases with WashingtonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLithuanian FM Budrys on ICC probe of Lukašenka: justice must prevailThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyCentral bank’s net foreign currency assets up 4.6 percent in FebruaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ money supply up 3.3 percent in February – central bankThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsInterior ministry brands 29 people as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsKyiv welcomes ICC probe of Łukašenka's alleged crimes against humanityThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsReprisals: Hrodna region woman arrested over social media reactionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja meets with Latvian presidentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- SocietyBelarus supplies humanitarian aid to flood-stricken KenyaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics, SecurityLatvia, Poland report irregular border crossing attemptsThe material is available only to POZIRK+



