Lithuania considers complete border closure with Belarus

Following a recent influx of weather balloons carrying contraband from Belarus, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Rūginienė announced that the government will consider closing the Medininkai and Šalčininkai border crossing points on October 29.

She stated that authorities are prepared to close the border with Belarus for an indefinite period. Currently, the other four previously operating border crossing points remain closed, Caliber.Az repost per Delfi. 

The Shumskas and Tverečius crossings ceased operations on August 18, 2023, while Lavoriškės and Raigardas were closed on March 1 last year. The government has not yet approved the proposal to close Medininkai and Šalčininkai.

Prime Minister Rūginienė also noted that if the influx of contraband weather balloons continues, Lithuania may consider activating Article 4 of NATO and begin consultations with allied countries. She emphasised that such discussions are under consideration as part of the government’s security measures.

The recent disruptions included the temporary suspension of air traffic at Vilnius Airport on the evening of October 26, which resumed early on October 27. In response, the Medininkai and Šalčininkai border crossings were also closed, and are expected to remain so at least until October 27, when the Government's National Security Commission will meet to make further decisions.

Vilnius Airport has been forced to halt operations multiple times in recent days due to contraband-laden weather balloons, with incidents recorded on October 21, 24, 25, and 26.

By Sabina Mammadli