{"id":178726,"date":"2026-03-10T12:21:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T09:21:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178726\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"vilnius-weighs-response-to-minsk-as-lithuanian-trucks-remain-stranded-in-belarus-mp","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178726\/","title":{"rendered":"Vilnius weighs response to Minsk as Lithuanian trucks remain stranded in Belarus \u2013 MP"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (State Customs Committee's press office)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

March 10, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>Vilnius is considering response measures against Minsk since Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka’s regime has refused to release Lithuanian trucks stranded in Belarus since last fall, Remigijus Motuzas, chairman of the Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee, has told LRT<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithuanian carriers are reportedly concerned over threats of truck confiscation, as a four-month period of parking at designated sites in Belarus expires today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Povilas Dri\u017eas of the International Transport and Logistics Alliance (TTLA) said that there are “mixed signals” regarding potential confiscations, according to BNS<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian side has not yet provided an official explanation regarding the stranded trucks, Motuzas said, adding that international organisations have been informed of the situation with the vehicles as Lithuania seeks to put pressure on Minsk through its allies, primarily the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vilnius is also weighing other options, the MP said, declining to comment on these publicly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minsk barred Lithuanian trucks from leaving the country after Vilnius closed the Medininkai\u2013Kamienny \u0141oh and \u0160al\u010dininkai\u2013Bieniakoni border checkpoints for three weeks in late October and November 2025, following incursions by air balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes from Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarus pushed for consultations between the two countries\u2019 foreign ministries, while Lithuania rejected direct diplomatic talks, having significantly downgraded official contacts after what it described as Belarus\u2019 rigged 2020 presidential election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vilnius views the political negotiations with Minsk as an attempt to break the international isolation of Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s regime and potentially pave the way for easing sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this month, LINAVA, the Lithuanian National Road Carriers Association, sent an official complaint to the European Commission regarding Lithuanian trucks stranded in Belarus. Minsk still reportedly holds 496 trucks and 575 semi-trailers belonging to 149 Lithuanian transport companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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