Lithuania to close two border crossings with Belarus over Wagner fears

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Aug 2023 19:25

Lithuania says the decision to close down two of six border crossings with Belarus will be announced next week.

A border crossing between Lithuania and Belarus as shown from the Lithuanian side (Lithuanian National Radio and Television)

Lithuania is preparing to close down two of its six border crossings with Belarus as the NATO member cites fears over the alleged presence of Wagner PMC troops there, the Lithuanian Deputy Interior Minister said on Friday.

The decision is being prepared to shut down Sumsko and Tvereciaus crossings, Arnoldas Abramavicius told AFP, adding that it will be announced next week.

Earlier this week, Lithuanian and Polish leaders said some 4,000 members of the paramilitary group were stationed in Belarus, which was followed by reports that the allies are considering the complete shut down of borders with their neighbor.

Western pressure on Belarus has been piling up for years over its relationship with Russia, especially during the conflict in Ukraine but has recently taken a sharp upward trend after Ukraine's counteroffensive proved to be unsuccessful.

Abramavicius explained that the decision is being made because Lithuania needed "to be ready to completely shut down the border at any moment," adding that this measure could assist in the fight against illegal smuggling and human trafficking.

Following the beginning of the war in Ukraine, both Poland and Lithuania built a fence along the borders with Belarus to block the flow of migrants, which the countries claimed are being used by Moscow and Minsk to exert pressure on the European Union.