Фото: facebook.com/UkraineMFA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed support for Lithuania’s decision to introduce a state of emergency amid the systematic launching of airborne contraband balloons from the territory of Belarus. The ministry stressed that such actions must be addressed not only by Lithuania, but by the European Union as a whole.
The MFA noted that these actions by the Belarusian regime pose a threat to the safety of international flights to and from Lithuanian airports, as well as endanger people’s lives and health, property, and the environment. Kyiv views what is happening as yet another hybrid attack by the regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka against Lithuania, NATO’s eastern flank, and EU member states. The ministry also believes that Minsk is acting with Russia’s support.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry recalled that previous unfriendly actions from Belarus included “operations aimed at seizing EU companies’ assets, blackmail, acts of sabotage, dissemination of propaganda and disinformation.” According to the MFA, Russia, with the involvement of its allies, is expanding its aggression and seeking to destabilize the situation not only in Ukraine but also in other European countries.
Ukraine called for increasing pressure on the participants in the aggression, including through introducing new or expanding existing sanctions against Belarus and its natural and legal persons. The ministry emphasized that the speed, decisiveness and unity of partners are crucial for countering Russian aggression, restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and achieving a just and lasting peace.
Kyiv expressed full solidarity with Lithuania and confirmed its readiness to share its wartime experience, including technological solutions.
The state of emergency was introduced across Lithuania on 9 December. In a press release, the Lithuanian government emphasized that the measure would not affect the daily lives of ordinary citizens, while law-enforcement agencies would receive enhanced opportunities for closer coordination and for involving military personnel in operations.