The European Commission said on Thursday it was informed about the situation involving blocked Lithuanian lorries but would not comment on Vilnius’ requests for additional sanctions against Minsk.
“Speaking about what is currently happening with the truck drivers, we are worried about the difficult situation experienced by those who are stranded. We urge the Belarusian authorities to provide all drivers with necessary shelter, access to food, and sanitary services,” European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said during Thursday’s midday press briefing in response to a question from LRT.
Her colleague Paula Pinho added that Lithuania’s decision to close its borders with Belarus was a response to hybrid attacks coming from Belarus. “We would also like to express the Commission’s solidarity with Lithuania on this issue, and we view this as a deliberate violation of the EU’s external borders.”
Asked whether the Commission is considering any actions against Belarus, Pinho said that, “at this time, we cannot say anything more.”
Lithuanian Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas, who was in Brussels on Thursday, also said that the EU should tighten sanctions on Belarus: “We would like to thank the Commission for the 19th sanctions package against Russia, but we also urge moving forward with the 20th and including Belarus, applying the same measures.”
“Minsk is conducting hybrid attacks against Lithuania [by] instrumentalising smuggling. We are experiencing financial losses, reputational damage, and logistical challenges,” he added.
According to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, it has informed the European Commission about the situation on the border, and the issue will be discussed at the EU General Affairs Council on November 17 and in other formats.
“Lithuania has submitted proposals for additional sanctions and sectoral customs tariffs on Belarus. Other response measures, including the anti-coercion instrument, may also be considered,” the ministry told LRT.
In late October, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned Belarus for launching balloons carrying contraband, which repeatedly disrupted operations at Vilnius Airport, and said the EU was ready to take appropriate measures against Belarus “if such actions continue”.
In response to the balloon attacks, Lithuania closed its border with Belarus until the end of November. Minsk reacted by banning trucks and tractors registered in Lithuania from traveling through Belarusian territory.
The Belarusian State Customs Committee announced Thursday that 1,265 Lithuanian trucks were currently stranded in the country and that drivers who failed to arrive on time at designated paid parking lots for trucks will face fines of about 1,000 euros.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
