Lithuania is preparing to fully reopen its border with Belarus this week,bringing an end to a month-long closure triggered by a dispute over alleged smuggling operations utilizing meteorological balloons [[2]]. The decision, while easing logistical challenges for thousands of Lithuanian truckers stranded in Belarus, arrives amid ongoing tensions with Minsk and objections from opposition parties who view it as a concession to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko [[1]]. Both passenger and freight traffic are expected to resume as early as Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Lithuania is preparing to reopen its border with Belarus as soon as Thursday, November 20, after a month-long closure prompted by concerns over alleged smuggling activity. The decision, recommended Tuesday by Lithuania’s National Security Commission, comes despite objections from opposition leaders who argue it concedes to pressure from Minsk.
The border was fully closed to passenger traffic on November 30, following reports of multiple incidents involving meteorological balloons originating from Belarus that disrupted air traffic. The closure impacted truck traffic significantly, leaving thousands of Lithuanian trucks stranded in Belarus.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė indicated Tuesday that the government reserves the right to reinstate the border closure should the situation with smuggling balloons deteriorate again.
Bus companies have already begun resuming ticket sales for routes between Vilnius and Minsk. Eurolines was showing availability for travel starting Thursday, November 20, on its website Wednesday afternoon, and Ecolines followed suit. Tickets are also available through the Lithuanian website autobusubilietai.lt.
Belarusian state-owned company Minsktrans announced Tuesday evening that it would resume trips to Vilnius and Riga, Latvia, starting Friday, November 21.
The move to reopen the border comes after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko issued a decree at the end of October prohibiting trucks registered in several European Union countries, including Lithuania and Poland, from traveling within Belarus. Belarus also stated that trucks stranded at the border would be moved to designated parking areas and subject to fees.
Saulius Skvernelis, chairman of the opposition Democrats “For Lithuania” party, criticized the decision to reopen the border, stating, “This will show our defeat and surrender to the Belarusian side. Belarus will achieve what it wanted – open borders.”
The border closure and subsequent actions highlight the ongoing tensions between Lithuania and Belarus, and the challenges of managing cross-border security concerns.
The government expects the border to be fully operational within 24 hours of a final decision.
Trade in bus tickets already resumed
Routes between Vilnius and Minsk have already been resumed by various carrier companies. For example, Eurolines’ website showed ticket sales resumed for trips starting Thursday, November 20.
Ecolines is also selling tickets for trips starting November 20 as of Wednesday.
Ticket sales for trips starting November 20 have also been resumed on the Lithuanian website autobusubilietai.lt.
Meanwhile, Belarusian state-owned enterprise Minsktrans announced on its Telegram account Tuesday evening that it would resume trips to Vilnius and Riga (Latvia) starting Friday, November 21.
Thousands of trucks stranded in Belarus
To recall, several smuggling balloons from Belarus were recorded in October, disrupting airport operations. In light of the situation, the government decided to close the last Medininkai and Šalčininkai border crossing points with Belarus for a month, until midnight on November 30. Traffic through the Šalčininkai checkpoint was completely suspended, while activity at the Medininkai post was limited with certain exceptions.
Belarusian autocratic leader Alexander Lukashenko, reacting to the situation, signed a decree at the end of October banning trucks and tractors registered in certain European Union countries, including Lithuania and Poland, from operating on Belarusian territory.
Furthermore, Belarus announced that trucks stranded at the border and unable to enter Lithuania would be relocated to specially designated parking lots and charged a fee.
As a result, thousands of trucks from Lithuania became stranded in Belarus.
