Third Countries Offered Mediation to Establish Contacts with Lithuania — Sakreta

Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Ihar Sakreta said that third countries had offered to mediate in establishing contacts with Lithuania. According to him, Minsk declined such proposals. The deputy minister commented after a meeting between Belarusian Prime Minister Alyaksandr Turchyn and Lithuanian and Polish carriers whose vehicles have not been allowed to leave Belarus since last autumn.

“From the very beginning of the situation that arose four months ago, numerous attempts were made to resolve this issue through political and diplomatic means. Countless efforts were undertaken to establish contact with the Lithuanian side, not only along the Minsk–Vilnius line but also during meetings on international platforms. We clearly signaled our readiness for dialogue and exchange of views. However, for some reason Vilnius views and continues to view any political-level contacts as its own defeat. We shared these conclusions and assumptions with representatives of other Western countries, but they do not understand what exactly constitutes a defeat. If there is a problem at the border, it must be resolved, and neighbors can probably do this best through direct contact,” Sakreta said.

According to him, some countries expressed readiness to act as intermediaries.

“Moreover, I will reveal some details here. Even third countries offered their mediation services. But our response was as follows: we are not at war, we have not severed diplomatic relations, and we share a common border that should function normally. This message has been present in all our statements, interviews, and comments. A border is a complex political and infrastructural mechanism; it cannot operate like a private shop — opening or closing at will. If agreements have been reached, then border crossings must operate 24/7 with proper security measures in place. Most importantly, regardless of the situation, normal working contacts must be maintained between our capitals so that not only citizens of our two countries but also citizens of third countries can cross the border safely.

I would like to remind you that not only the Poles and Lithuanians present here have suffered. Citizens of many other countries have also been affected — those who transported goods, delivered cargo, and relied on the ability to safely pass through the territory of Belarus and Lithuania,” he added.

Last year, Lithuania closed the border in response to an increase in smuggling attempts using meteorological balloons. At that time, Alyaksandr Lukashenka ordered the collection of trucks belonging to Lithuanian carriers and their placement at designated parking sites with fees charged for storage, also warning of possible confiscation. Lithuanian carriers had earlier said they expected such measures to be implemented soon. On the same day, Alyaksandr Turchyn stated that Belarus does not intend to confiscate the vehicles but seeks a negotiated solution.