The President Of Lithuania Told Whether It Was Possible To Open The Border With Belarus Already

There is one condition.

Lithuania can open the border with Belarus until November 30, but only by maintaining the leverage. This was stated by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in an interview with the ELTA agency, writes LRT.

In the opinion of the Lithuanian president, Vilnius can open the border now.

- Yes. But with a caveat: we must keep the leverage. This means that the Belarusian side should realize that any new actions - and the border will be closed again. Quickly and without unnecessary discussions," said the head of Lithuania.

Gitanas Nauseda also noted that the reason for the fact that there are fewer balloons carrying contraband in Lithuania was the fact that Minsk took certain steps.

- Meteorological conditions were either quite suitable or favorable for the continuation of such activities. The point is different. The information we are receiving suggests that the other side took steps to either stop the activity completely or to send a very clear signal. This is also a reason for the reduction in incidents. Another aspect is that even when balloons go up, they are inflated so that they land immediately after crossing the border, sometimes right on the barbed wire. What this means - Apparently, those involved in illegal activities don't want to have problems and try to land the balloons where they are not related to air safety. It's like a more 'convenient' option for them, even though it is illegal," Nauseda said.

The Lithuanian president added that Lithuania closed the border "not to escalate relations or raise tensions." In his opinion, on the contrary - Lithuania seeks to reduce tension, which "is already enough."

He emphasized that if the situation with smuggled balls worsens, the border will be closed again.

- The algorithm is very simple. Belarus knows very well: if we see escalation or new hybrid actions, the open border will be closed again," said the head of Lithuania.

Nauseda also speculated on whether the weather balloons are not a political signal from Belarus.

- First of all, it's smuggling. But there is another layer. This is a state controlled by special services. Any such activity is either authorized or deliberately tolerated. And at a certain point its activation became a tool of pressure. Why? To show that they can create problems for us when they need to. So we have to demonstrate that it won't work," said the politician.

When asked whether it's not time to completely close the border with Belarus, as suggested by some Lithuanian politicians, the Lithuanian president said that such a decision would affect a large number of people.

- This is an absolutely extreme measure. It can be taken only in case of a threat of the highest category, for example, when there is a direct risk of a military provocation or a hybrid attack involving people, weapons or major sabotage. With balloons, the situation was serious, but this is not that category. A complete border closure is a decision affecting thousands of people, companies, international arrangements, and logistics. You can't throw such steps every time a neighbor behaves unpredictably. One should act reasonably, in proportion to the threat," he said.

He noted that the "sobriety" of Belarus varies from month to month.

- The degree of "sobriety" varies from month to month. Belarus is not an independent player. It is a tool in the hands of Russia. The question is not in Minsk, but in Moscow. If they decide there that it is necessary to put pressure on Lithuania or Poland, there will be pressure. Therefore, we can't relax. But we should realize that we are dealing not with Lukashenko's whims, but with the geopolitical interests of the Kremlin. <�...> In the long term, one should realize that Belarus remains a strategic tool in the hands of Moscow. It is impossible to expect normal behavior from Minsk without serious changes in geopolitics. Therefore, our policy should be flexible, ready for any scenarios. We are building defense, warning system and strengthening international ties. Everything else is an illusion.

Reminder, the Lithuanian government will make decision to open the border with Belarus on November 19.

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