Kęstutis Budrys: The EU Must Demonstrate The Strength Of Its Will

How to answer the terrorist Lukashenko.

In the wake of the influx of balloons from Belarus recorded in Lithuania last weekend, Foreign Minister Kiastutis Budrys discussed possible responses with European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaia Kallas by phone on Monday, writes Diena.lt.

Budrys emphasized that the EU should take measures to protect its citizens not only with statements of solidarity, but also with concrete measures. The Minister noted that back in late October Lithuania submitted to the European Commission (EC) proposals for additional sanctions against Belarus and hopes for progress on this issue in the near future.

"Tougher sanctions against the Belarusian regime are a necessary response to the actions taken. The EU cannot silently watch and tolerate Lukashenko's regime recklessly terrorizing the EU state, looting property and purposefully endangering the security of citizens. This is an attack not only on Lithuania, but on the entire EU. The EU must demonstrate the strength of its will," the minister was quoted in the report.

In late October, Lithuania submitted proposals to the European Commission to include an additional criterion of hybrid attack against Belarus in the EU sanctions regime. Lithuania also proposes the EU to introduce additional sectoral sanctions against Belarus.

Last week, an exceptional activity of smuggled balloon launches from the territory of Belarus was recorded in the airspace of Lithuania. Due to the large number of smuggled balloons, Vilnius airport was temporarily suspended late Friday night. It resumed operations on Saturday.

The airport was suspended again on Sunday evening. Vilnius airport resumed operations early Monday morning. Saulius Batavicius, director of Oro Navigacija, said Vilnius airport was closed for 11 hours because of balloons flying toward it. According to him, a total of 60 balloons were released, of which about 40 were in locations critical for traffic to Vilnius Airport.

In recent months, several meetings of the National Security Commission (NSC) have been held due to smuggled balloons flying into Lithuania, and the issue of a hybrid attack by Belarus has been discussed in various formats at the national and international levels.

In response to the recurring incidents, the Lithuanian government decided in late October to close the airport's airfields on the However, their activities were resumed a week and a half ago.

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