Lithuania: Lithuania will temporarily close two of the country’s six border crossings with Belarus due to “geopolitical circumstances.” The move comes as concerns grow in the region over the presence of thousands of Russian Wagner Group mercenaries on Belarusian territory.
Belarus, Russia’s staunchest ally, reacted promptly to the announcement by criticising what it called Lithuania’s “far-fetched” decision to close two of its border checkpoints.
“This decision is one of the preventive measures to contain threats to national security and possible provocations at the border,” Lithuania’s Interior Minister Ms. Agne Bilotaite stated. Mr. Bilotaite did not mention the threats in the reasoning for closing the two rural border crossings.
Over the past few weeks, Lithuania has discouraged its citizens from travelling to Belarus, even setting up signs at the borders saying, “Do not risk your safety; do not travel to Belarus. You may fail to come back.”
Lithuania has also cited the security risk posed by the Wagner mercenary group, which has taken refuge in Belarus since their failed mutiny against Russia’s military leadership in June. The country, which shares a nearly 680-kilometre border with Belarus, declared its independence from the Soviet Union 33 years ago.
Lithuania, a member of NATO and the European Union, has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia and a place of refuge in recent years for many who have fled an authoritarian crackdown in neighbouring Belarus and increased repression in Russia.
The commander of Lithuania’s border guard agency Mr. Rustamas Liubajevas estimated there could be up to 4,500 Wagner fighters in Belarus, with some stationed close to the Lithuanian and Polish borders. Wagner’s presence in Belarus has sparked alarm among Minsk’s western and northern neighbours, including Poland and Latvia.
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