Budrys Discussed Belarusian Actions At Lithuanian Border With Rubio And Sanctions With Coale

Reform.news Editorial Team · 18 September 2026, 10:30

https://reform.news/en/budrys-discussed-belarusian-actions-at-lithuanian-border-with-rubio-and-sanctions-with-coale/

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said that Belarus-related issues were not discussed in detail during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, BNS reports. However, earlier this week he discussed sanctions against Minsk with U.S. President’s special envoy for Belarus John Coale.

According to Budrys, the meeting with Rubio focused on the security situation in the region, threats and incidents, as well as Belarusian actions at the Lithuanian border and the associated risks.

“We discussed the security situation in the region, existing threats, various incidents, as well as Belarusian actions at our border and the associated risks. After all, this is the NATO border,” the diplomat, who is visiting Washington, said.

“However, I discussed issues concerning Belarus in detail several days ago with John Coale, the special envoy for Belarus who visited Lithuania, rather than during this meeting [with M. Rubio]. It was then that we spoke in detail about what Belarus had done to its neighbours over many years: how much damage and problems it had caused, and so on,” the official said.

He confirmed that his conversation with Coale had included the issue of sanctions against the Belarusian regime imposed by Lithuania and the European Union.

“I was interested in the U.S. intentions regarding a possible easing of sanctions. We coordinate sanctions policy with the United States on a wide range of issues — from combating Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ to the situation with Iran. Of course, we also discussed sanctions imposed against Belarus. We talked about this this time as well,” Budrys said.

According to him, the sides discussed the positions and expectations of the United States and Lithuania, as well as further EU action. The foreign ministry official noted that the United States takes a softer approach to sanctions against Belarus than Lithuania does.

“Lithuania did not impose them [the sanctions], although last year we created the legal framework for imposing sanctions against the regime. The United States takes a different approach to sanctions — particularly with regard to Belarus — easing them in exchange for the release of prisoners. Our positions differ on this issue, but we are certainly in dialogue and consulting with each other; that is what allies are for,” the Lithuanian foreign minister said.