Belarus is ready to engage in dialogue with Lithuania without preconditions, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ruslan Varankou said, responding to a question from Russia’s RIA Novosti.
Minsk described the conditions voiced by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Prime Minister Inga Ruginenė as artificial ultimatums.
“Minsk has repeatedly and clearly stated: we are ready to discuss any problematic issues without any preconditions. This is a basic principle that is understood by everyone, including our partners across the ocean — the recent visit of US presidential envoy John Coale clearly confirmed this.
The artificial ultimatums that Vilnius is trying to put forward have nothing to do with good-neighborly relations or normal diplomatic practice,” Varankou said.
The Foreign Ministry also stressed that Belarus has not sought mediation from third parties.
“At the same time, we note that Belarus has not turned to any third parties for mediation. Initiatives coming from external partners reflect their own vision. We are ready to consider such proposals, but not under anyone’s instruction,” the spokesperson said.
Responding to Nausėda’s call for Belarus to demonstrate goodwill, Varankou accused Lithuania of creating problems at the border.
“If we are to speak about ‘good-neighborly goodwill,’ the Lithuanian side today faces many questions that its own society expects answers to — from border operations and the ability to visit relatives and care for family graves, to disrupted business ties with Belarus. We are not going to resolve these issues alone. Moreover, they lie within Lithuania’s own interests. Their leadership will have to answer to their own people for this,” he said.
“If our Lithuanian colleagues are not ready for an equal dialogue and prefer to publicly list demands instead of sitting down at the negotiating table, then the unwillingness to resolve accumulated issues remains on their conscience. For our part, openness to constructive dialogue remains,” Varankou added.
Earlier, US envoy John Coale expressed hope for the start of dialogue between Vilnius and Minsk at the deputy foreign minister level and suggested that Belarusian potash should transit through Lithuania.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginenė said such a meeting could take place if several conditions are met, including resolving issues related to meteorological balloons and illegal migration, as well as returning trucks to Lithuania without additional fees or penalties. President Gitanas Nausėda stated that contacts with Belarus are possible if the Belarusian regime demonstrates goodwill and refrains from creating threats.
