Lithuania Closes 2 Border Crossings with Belarus

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Facts

  • The Lithuanian government said on Wednesday that it will temporarily close two border crossings with Belarus — Tverecius and Sumskas — saying that traffic will be diverted to the Medininkai border checkpoint, which is the largest of Lithuania’s six crossings with the country.1
  • Lithuania didn't expand on the circumstances nor threats that provoked the closing of the crossings, but it did cite "geopolitical circumstances." Belarus's Border Guard said that Lithuania made the decision due to "alleged security threats" and the presence of the Wagner private military company in Belarus.2
  • Belarus, a close Russian ally, reacted to the announcement by calling Lithuania’s decision “far-fetched." Lithuania’s Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite said the decision was a preventive measure "to contain threats to national security and possible provocations at the border."3
  • The Belarusian State Border Committee also said that Lithuania’s decision was “another unconstructive and unfriendly step” that will negatively impact tourism and cargo traffic.4
  • Russia's Wagner group took refuge in Belarus after their failed mutiny against Russia's military leadership in June, causing alarm among the country's neighbors.5
  • Other regional countries, such as Poland and Latvia, have beefed up their border security with Belarus, with Poland closing all crossing points into the country except for one and Latvia sending the army to the border to prevent unsanctioned crossings.2

Sources: 1Associated Press, 2Reuters, 3Al Jazeera, 4Meduza, and 5Barrons.

Narratives

  • Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by Euronews. Baltic states like Lithuania are simply responding to the Wagner threat that Belarus now poses. Nobody wants Russian mercenaries on their borders, especially as illegal crossing attempts increase, and it is understandable why Poland and the Baltic states are increasingly taking a hard line on Belarus, Putin's main ally in Europe.
  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. Lithuania has taken unfriendly action against Belarus, which will only hurt both countries. Restricting trade always has a negative effect on the economy, and Lithuania has no rationale for the move other than abstract fears. The Baltic states, alongside the West, only have one goal: isolate Russia and its allies.