Lithuania Plans Indefinite Closure of Belarus Border Crossings

Lithuania’s Prime Minister, Inga Ruginienė, announced on October 30, 2023, that the country is preparing to shut its border crossings with Belarus indefinitely. This decision follows repeated disruptions at Vilnius Airport caused by suspected balloon sightings, believed to be linked to cigarette smuggling activities across the border.

The National Security Commission convened after air traffic at Vilnius Airport was suspended for three consecutive evenings—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—due to these alarming incidents. Flights were cancelled, diverted, and delayed, affecting not only the capital but also Kaunas Airport, which is located farther from the Belarusian frontier. Both border crossings at Medininkai and Šalčininkai experienced closures lasting several hours in response to the balloon incidents.

In light of these developments, Lithuania’s border guard service decided to implement a 24-hour closure of the border. Ruginienė indicated that this restriction will be extended until at least November 1, 2023, when her Cabinet will assess the situation to determine whether to maintain the closure indefinitely.

Details of the proposed indefinite closure include exemptions for diplomats and diplomatic mail, while Lithuanian and other European Union citizens will still be permitted to enter from Belarus. The prime minister emphasized that the move is a precautionary measure to enhance national security along the EU’s eastern flank, which also borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave.

Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, currently residing in exile in Lithuania, condemned the balloon incidents as indicative of Belarusian authorities exploiting cigarette smuggling as a form of hybrid aggression against Europe. She stated, “The closure of border crossings is a logical step to protect security,” and expressed support for Lithuania’s efforts to strengthen sanctions against those involved in smuggling operations.

These actions underscore Lithuania’s heightened security posture in response to ongoing tensions with Belarus, a country allied with Russia. As an EU and NATO member, Lithuania is taking proactive measures to safeguard its borders and maintain regional stability. The situation continues to evolve, with the government closely monitoring developments related to border security and smuggling activities.