Lithuanian president questioned by US envoy on possible Minsk dialogue

VILNIUS - Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Tuesday he was questioned by John Coale, US special envoy for Belarus, about possible political dialogue with Minsk.

"During the conversation with me, the question was raised as to what the possibilities are for seeking a political dialogue with Belarus," Nauseda told reporters.

Coale visited Lithuania last week, meeting with Nauseda and Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene to discuss hybrid attacks carried out by Minsk against Lithuania. He also met with European Parliament member Petras Grazulis and Lithuanian parliamentarians Ignas Vegele and Rimas Jonas Jankunas.

The following day, the US envoy traveled to Belarus, where he met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Nauseda said he warned Coale to treat Minsk’s rhetoric with caution.

"My answer was very clear, as we certainly know this neighbour and this specific dictator well enough," Nauseda said. "My message to Mr Coale was that you should treat all steps by the Belarusian authorities very cautiously, because the Belarusian government, by its nature and its identification with Russia, is difficult to decouple from the Russian state."

The Lithuanian president also warned that Belarus might attempt to fracture NATO unity and push for divergent US and European Union policies toward Minsk.

While efforts to secure the release of prisoners in Belarus are welcome, Nauseda said they remain a tool for Minsk to pursue political objectives.

"We reminded our American colleagues that the sanctions regime against Belarus remains in force in Europe, it has been extended for twelve months, and at least during this period there is no legal or other basis to speak about the lifting or easing of sanctions," Nauseda said.

"To my knowledge, the states surrounding Lithuania, which are treated as alternative logistical channels for Belarusian fertilisers, think exactly the same way," he added.