Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has threatened to seize up to 1,200 Lithuanian trucks stranded in Belarus after Lithuania closed two border crossings. The closures, implemented on 29 October and expected to last until at least the end of November, were a response to incursions by weather balloons from Belarus carrying smuggled cigarettes, which disrupted air traffic in Vilnius.
Lukashenko described Lithuania's move as a “mad scam” and part of a “hybrid war” against Belarus. He warned that if Lithuania does not reopen the border within days, Belarusian authorities could confiscate the vehicles under national law. The trucks have been moved to paid parking areas, Lukashenko said.
Erlandas Mikėnas of the Lithuanian National Road Carriers’ Association told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that stranded drivers are “tired and angry,” and some cargo risks spoiling. Belarus has refused to open a corridor for the trucks unless Lithuania fully reopens the border.
The standoff occurs amid heightened tensions in Europe, with NATO on alert after unprecedented drone intrusions into its airspace since September. Some European officials see these incidents as Moscow testing NATO’s response. Lukashenko said Belarus would raise the border closure in contacts with Washington.
In August, Lukashenko spoke with US President Donald Trump, sparking speculation of a thaw. In September, he pardoned 52 political prisoners as part of a US-brokered deal that eased sanctions on Belarusian carrier Belavia. Trump announced on Sunday that John Coale would be nominated as US special envoy to Belarus to negotiate further prisoner releases.
