Vilnius protests Belarus security official’s remarks (updated)

October 30, Pozirk. The Lithuanian foreign ministry has denounced a recent remark by a Belarusian general as an overt threat.  

Vilnius has handed a note to the Belarusian charge d’affaires, Jarasłaŭ Chmyl, to express a “strong protest” against remarks by the first deputy head of the Belarusian Security Council, published by Vecherniy Minsk on October 24.

“Lithuania has virtually banned us from moving our goods across the border. According to international law, this step constitutes economic aggression,” the security official, Pavieł Muraviejka, said at an ideology seminar hosted by the Minsk City Executive Committee.

“From the point of view of simple logic, we have all grounds to cut a vital corridor by force of arms. And I assume that in other circumstances no one in the world would condemn us. But not today, when the West is putting unprecedented pressure on our country,” he said.