Poland delays reopening of Belarus border after Lithuania's move - PM

VILNIUS - Following Lithuania's decision to close its border with Belarus, Poland has decided to postpone plans to reopen its border crossings with the neighboring country, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said on Thursday.

"I spoke with the Polish prime minister by phone yesterday. It was a detailed and thorough conversation, and we agreed that the Polish prime minister will postpone the reopening of the borders. This means we are coordinating our actions, and for now, the borders will remain closed on both the Polish and Lithuanian sides," Ruginiene told a press conference during her visit to Latvia.

"We already have the first reactions from Belarus, and I very much hope they'll show understanding that we won't tolerate any hybrid attacks and will do everything possible to manage threats and ensure the safety of our people," she said.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Tuesday plans to reopen two crossings on the border with Belarus.

Warsaw had planned to reopen the Kuznica crossing, closed since November 9, 2021, and the Bobrowniki crossing, closed since February 10, 2023.

Lithuania closed its last two border crossings with Belarus - at Medininkai and Salcininkai - for a month on Wednesday in response to smugglers' balloons disrupting civil aviation.

"Our institutions have worked tirelessly, and it seems that we have already brought the situation under control," Ruginiene said.

Last week, Lithuanian airports were closed four times due to weather balloons used by smugglers to carry cigarettes from Belarus, affecting more than 140 flights and over 20,000 passengers.

"I want to say that this measure - closing the border - works. It is clearly hurting our unfriendly neighbor. Understanding that, we took these actions. We didn't do this out of like or dislike but because these are measures that work and will stop the attack we have faced in recent days," the prime minister said.

According to her, Lithuania is also preparing a proposal for a broader European package of sanctions against Belarus.

When closing the border with Belarus, Lithuania put in place certain exceptions.

While the Salcininkai-Benyakoni checkpoint is completely closed, the Medininkai-Kamenny Log checkpoint remains open to diplomats, diplomatic mail, travelers holding simplified transit documents, and Lithuanian citizens and their family members returning to Lithuania.

Exceptions also apply to citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and NATO countries and their family members, as well as foreign nationals returning to Lithuania with valid residence permits or those holding humanitarian visas.

The government has instructed the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) to enforce the restrictions, including the entry and exit of individuals for humanitarian reasons.

The border closure will remain in effect until November 30, after which the Cabinet will decide whether to extend it.