Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has not ruled out that Lithuania may again close its border with Belarus if the situation with meteorological balloons does not improve, Delfi reported.
“As soon as we reopened the border crossings, we saw positive signals from the other side of the border. But as soon as the situation changes, we already have the right and the ability to consider the strictest additional measures. Today we need to meet and discuss all the actions we are taking. It is possible that we will close the border, and that decision will be made if the situation does not improve,” Ruginienė said.
According to the Lithuanian prime minister, Vilnius is considering a broad package of measures, “starting with consultations with our American allies.”
Ruginienė stressed that Belarus’s actions constitute a hybrid attack, noting that meteorological balloons were also detected in Latvia.
“Balloons carrying contraband were flying and will likely continue to fly. The reopening of the border showed one thing — that we were, in fact, right: this is a hybrid attack. And illegal actions are being committed on the Belarusian side — our trucks are being held and the border is not being opened from their side,” Ruginienė said.
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry is working on sanctions against Belarus. In addition, Lithuania is holding talks with the European Commission regarding asset confiscation and other measures.
Ruginienė announced that a meeting of the National Security Commission will take place this week.
Lithuania closed its border checkpoints with Belarus on 29 October for a month due to meteorological balloons, but reopened them early on 20 November. Nevertheless, Lithuanian trucks that Belarus has not allowed to leave still cannot cross back. From Sunday to Monday, Vilnius Airport suspended operations twice because of smugglers’ balloons.