Latvian Border Guards: That’s Final Warning For Belarus

Riga to close a border crossing with Belarus partly.

The temporary suspension of the Pāternieki border crossing into Belarus (Hryhoroščyna on the Belarusian side) has proven effective as a preventive measure, said Guntis Pujāts, head of the Latvian State Border Guard, as reported by DELFI.

"The situation at the border is currently stable, and the temporary closure of the border crossing has had an effect. Yesterday, a group of migrants was spotted on Belarusian territory, but the neighboring country’s authorities did not let them through—possibly in response to the actions of Latvian border guards," Pujāts stated.

On Sunday, March 16, a group of about 30 people, mostly men aged 20 to 35, was observed. "They keep coming, but I don’t know what they are hoping for—they have no visas or residence permits. We understand that this is a case of migration being weaponized," he added.

The head of the Latvian border service noted that the migrants returned to Belarus, where they are legally allowed to stay since they hold Russian or Belarusian visas, which also enables them to appear at other locations along the Latvian border.

"Problems need to be addressed as they arise. We won’t predict every next step, but this is likely Belarus’ final warning: the checkpoint could be fully closed, leaving only one open crossing at the Lithuanian and Polish borders. Moreover, there is a possibility that Lithuania and Poland may decide to close their border crossings as well, leading to Belarus’ complete isolation," Pujāts warned.

Today, March 18, the Latvian government will review a proposal stating that the Latvian-Belarusian border crossing "Pāternieki–Hryhoroščyna", as well as the Latvian-Russian border crossings "Grebņeva" and "Terehova", will only be accessible by car. This measure aims to combat the influx of illegal pedestrian and bicycle migrants entering Latvia.

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