VILNIUS: Lithuania has closed two of its six border crossings with Belarus, while Latvia and Poland are strengthening their borders with the Russian ally.
There is tension in the Baltic states and Poland over Wagner’s mercenaries in Belarus.
Landlocked Belarus shares borders with Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, as well as Russia.
From Friday, vehicles crossing from Belarus to Lithuania in Tverecius and Sumskas will be directed to the border crossings in Medininkai, Lavoriskes, Raigardas and Salcininkai, which will remain open for the time being.
“The goal is to have as many border guards as possible at the border,” said Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite. “This is where they’re needed.”
Bilotaite also pointed out that the Baltic states and Poland are thinking the possibility of a complete border closure.
“If such a decision is taken, it is important that it is not implemented by one country, but by the entire region,” the minister said, adding that she had already discussed the matter with her Polish counterpart.
Latvia’s prime minister said his country’s border guards are taking strong action against people trying to cross illegally from Belarus. Latvia’s state border guard said it stopped 40 people on August 15, bringing the total number of people apprehended this year to 5,839.
“It is a proactive action,” said Krišjānis Kariņš, Latvia’s prime minister.
“We saw that this summer the influx of people from Belarus is not decreasing, but steadily increasing. Proactive action by the border guard and the involvement of the armed forces.”
