The Lithuanian government adopted a decision on Wednesday 29 October to close the Šalčininkai and Medininkai checkpoints on the border with Belarus for one month.

Source: Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The restrictions will apply from 29 October until 30 November, with the possibility of extension.

The Šalčininkai checkpoint will be completely closed, while the Medininkai crossing will operate partially with certain exceptions.

"Passage through it will be allowed for diplomats, transit to and from Kaliningrad, citizens returning to Lithuania, citizens of EU and NATO countries and their family members, as well as people holding residence permits in Lithuania. Humanitarian crossings will also remain possible, to be decided by the State Border Guard Service," said Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič.

An additional exception allows crossing through Medininkai for citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, representatives of the Holy See, Ukraine and their family members, as well as technical staff of diplomatic missions of these countries in Belarus who are Belarusian citizens.

The Lavoryškės and Raigardas border checkpoints were closed last year, and others were closed in 2023.

Background:

• Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys stated that Vilnius reserves the right to suspend transit to and from Kaliningrad following the closure of the Belarusian border in response to the situation with weather balloons.
• He also stated that Lithuania must "put an end to the serf mentality" regarding Belarus.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon !