Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus regarding the further development of the situation on the Belarusian-Lithuanian state border

Due to Lithuania’s unilateral closure of border checkpoints on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border, more than 1,100 cargo trucks belonging to Lithuanian carriers have accumulated on the territory of Belarus.

In order to ensure the safety and security of these vehicles, which are mainly concentrated on the access roads to the Kamenny Log and Benyakoni checkpoints, the Belarusian side has decided to relocate them to specially equipped parking areas near the Kotlovka checkpoint.

For humanitarian reasons, drivers have been given the opportunity to leave the territory of Belarus and return to their places of permanent residence until the Lithuanian side decides to fully resume border operations. We are ready to provide necessary assistance to those drivers who, for one reason or another, cannot leave Belarus.

We emphasize that all additional expenses incurred by freight carriers, shippers, and consignees in Lithuania, other European Union countries, and beyond are caused solely by the ill-considered, arbitrary, and politically motivated actions of the Lithuanian authorities.

At the same time, Belarus reserves the right to apply all measures provided for by law in relation to these vehicles.