Lithuania Demands EU, U.S. Support to Stop Balloons Violations

(MENAFN) Lithuania will pressure Belarus to halt smuggler balloon incursions into its airspace with support from the EU and US, while standing ready to implement unilateral countermeasures should diplomatic efforts prove unsuccessful, the prime minister declared Friday.

In remarks to media, Inga Ruginiene revealed her government is evaluating responses ranging from sanctions against Minsk to reinstating border restrictions, though Vilnius intends to prioritize a unified approach alongside international partners.

"The Foreign Ministry is actively working at the European Commission level, with the Commission's full backing, on a new sanctions package," she said.

"I have already spoken with the US special envoy for Belarus and will have an in-person meeting. We will also discuss joint action with our strategic partners," she noted, adding: "And third, if this does not help, we will seriously consider national sanctions and closing the border."

Ruginiene noted that balloon violations decreased substantially during Lithuania's several-week border shutdown with Belarus implemented in late October.

President Gitanas Nauseda has indicated Lithuania may freeze or seize Belarusian assets located within the country, accusing Minsk of continuing to prevent Lithuanian commercial trucks from departing its territory.

Smuggler balloons have caused repeated flight disruptions at Lithuanian airports over recent months, with Vilnius experiencing the majority of incidents.

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