Lithuania's government decided on Wednesday to close the country's border with Belarus for one month, while allowing certain exceptions.
"We are submitting proposals to resolve the tense situation we have at the border and in airports. We believe these measures should send a clear message to our not-so-friendly neighbor, which is making no effort to address the problem," Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič said during the Cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet decided to fully close the Šalčininkai–Benyakoni border crossing and restrict passage through the Medininkai–Kamenny Log crossing.
The ban to travel through this checkpoint will not apply to diplomats, diplomatic mail, travelers holding simplified transit documents, and Lithuanian citizens and their family members returning to Lithuania.
Exceptions also apply to citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and NATO countries and their family members, as well as foreign nationals returning to Lithuania with valid residence permits or those holding humanitarian visas.
The government instructed the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) to enforce the restrictions, including the entry and exit of individuals for humanitarian reasons.
"Lithuania is facing a hybrid attack, and we must label things as they are," Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said.
The prime minister acknowledged that the decision will cause inconvenience for some people.
"But we take security very seriously. We believe the safety of all citizens is our priority today," she said. "I ask everyone for understanding, as this step is necessary today."
The measure will remain in effect until November 30, after which the Cabinet will decide whether to extend it.
Last week, Lithuanian airports were closed four times due to weather balloons used by smugglers to carry cigarettes from Belarus, affecting more than 140 flights and over 20,000 passengers
The military has been authorized to shoot down such objects. Meanwhile, President Gitanas Nausėda has proposed restricting the transport of Belarusian goods under the Kaliningrad transit scheme and has urged the European Union to respond collectively to the threat posed by the balloons.
The only two road border crossings that had remained open, at Medininkai and Šalčininkai, were closed on Sunday evening by order of the VSAT.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
