Turchyn and Valfovich Hold Meeting on Border Situation: “The Beginning of a Path Toward Restoring Contacts”

A meeting on the situation at the border with EU member states was held today under the leadership of Prime Minister Alyaksandr Turchyn and State Secretary of the Security Council Alyaksandr Valfovich. The event took place on the instruction of Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry reported.

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhankau, Chairman of the State Border Committee Kanstantsin Molastau, Chairman of the State Customs Committee Uladzimir Arlouski, and Chairman of the State Security Committee Ivan Tertel.

“It was noted that the current situation at the border does not serve the interests of either Belarus or the European Union. Belarus consistently advocates the restoration of the full functioning of the border regime — in the interests of citizens and the development of cross-border cooperation. Against this backdrop, the decision by Poland to resume operations at two previously closed checkpoints is welcomed. This step can reinvigorate cross-border trade and make life easier for people. We view it as constructive and oriented toward the interests of Polish citizens,” the press release said.

“Unfortunately, there are no similar actions on the part of Lithuania. We are confident that Poland’s step is only the beginning of a path toward restoring contacts. History shows that political cooperation inevitably follows interaction between people,” the ministry stated.

Poland’s border checkpoints Kuznica-Bialostocka and Bobrowniki are scheduled to reopen on 17 November at 02:00 Belarus time. Kuznica (“Bruzhgi”) will open for passenger vehicles except buses, while Bobrowniki (“Bierastavitsa”) will open for buses and trucks registered in EU member states, the European Free Trade Association, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland.

Currently, two road crossings operate on the Belarus–Poland border: Brest–Terespol for passenger cars and buses, and Kazlovichy–Kukuryki for freight traffic, along with rail crossings for cargo trains at Kuznica-Bialostocka–Hrodna, Semyanowka–Svislach, and Terespol–Brest.

Lithuania closed its border with Belarus until 30 November due to the incursion of meteorological balloons that disrupted airport operations. Entry into Lithuania was permitted only for certain categories of people via the Medininkai checkpoint. Hundreds of Lithuanian trucks ended up stranded in Belarus. The Belarusian government prohibited them from exiting through Poland or Latvia. At the instruction of Belarusian authorities, all trucks were directed to paid parking areas near the border.

Lithuania sought the opening of a corridor for its trucks. Belarus states that the conflict has been resolved politically and diplomatically and proposes negotiations at the level of the countries’ foreign ministries. At the same time, Belarus has postponed a technical meeting of deputy heads of the border agencies.