Lukashenko criticises Lithuania’s border closure, Western policies at Minsk Security Conference

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has condemned Lithuania’s decision to close the border, describing it as a “crazy gamble” during the 3rd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, BelTA reports.

“We, the participants were not the only ones looking forward to the conference. Our opponents, who keep an eye on Minsk today, were, too. Not everyone was supposed to get to Minsk today. It is the goal some of our neighbors intended to accomplish by launching this crazy gamble of closing the border. And they have come up with an absurd reason: air balloons. Even for a small country Lithuania is it is petty,” Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader dismissed claims of extraordinary smuggling at the border, adding, “I declare responsibly that we are not talking about any extraordinary smuggling. But it speaks volumes about the political potential of our conference.”

Lukashenko also criticised Western-led forums, contrasting them with the Minsk conference. “Why? Where else can one openly and honestly discuss fundamental matters of security on our common continent? In Munich? Maybe. But people over there want to see and hear only those, who have passed an ‘ideological sieve’. If they had their way, they would not let even Americans participate. Unless those once again speak the truth about the ‘European orchard’: about lost values, parasitism, hypocrisy, censorship, and double standards,” he said.

He highlighted the growing influence and popularity of the Minsk forum. “The Munich Security Conference is an inadequate platform,” he stated. Lukashenko noted that the Minsk conference has earned a place on the international calendar, with participation rising from 38 countries in 2024 to 48 this year.

Addressing what he described as Western political self-isolation, Lukashenko asserted: “Western politicians remain convinced they can force the world to serve their interests, isolating those who refuse to cave in. Yet they fail to grasp today’s reality. Their policy of illegal sanctions and new dividing lines, be it ideological barriers, closed borders, or closed skies, is a direct path to global self-isolation.”

Lukashenko said that he does not yet see any grounds for optimism regarding Eurasian security.

“We really want to be optimistic about the future of European and, more broadly, Eurasian security. But the actual processes that we are observing do not yet provide serious grounds for that. Rather the opposite,” the head of state said. “We have repeatedly warned that you cannot divide the common space of trust and avoid  consequences. Now we are facing the consequences of such short-sighted policies.”

Furthermore, Lukashenko said that Belarus does not use migration processes in any way and has no intention of doing so.

“Adhering to its customary double standards, the West is attempting to falsely accuse Belarus of using migration as a weapon. Let me be perfectly clear: we do not use migration processes in any way and have no intention of doing so,” the head of state said. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev