Belarusian threat: Latvian and Lithuanian ministers visit border

On August 26, the Foreign Ministers of Lithuania and Latvia, Gabrielius Landsbergis and Baiba Braže, came together at the border with Belarus. Their visit at the Adutiškis border checkpoint formed part of the annual seminar held between the two countries’ Foreign Ministries.

The main focus of the encounter were discussions regarding further cooperation to strengthen protection of the EU’s external borders, Landsbergis explained.

“We are well aware of the threat that Belarus and Russia pose to their neighbors, and to all of Europe,” Landsbergis wrote. 

A further issue they covered was how to counter provocations from dictatorial regimes. During the meeting, the commanders of the border guard services of Lithuania and Latvia, Generals Rustamas Liubajevas and Guntis Pujāts, presented the border protection infrastructure. Additionally, they gave information about the situation at the EU’s external borders in the region.

“Here, at the border fence, begins our responsibility for our own security, for the European Union, for collective defense and NATO security. It is here that we face hybrid attacks from the Kremlin and Lukashenko regimes, including illegal migration, which has been turned into a tool of blackmail, pressure, and destabilization of our societies,” Landsbergis said, according to Ukrinform.

The minister stressed the need for Lithuania, Latvia, and their allies to stay vigilant and united and, if necessary, provide immediate mutal assistance.

Recently there have been reports about Belarus amassing troops close to the Ukrainian border under the guise of exercises, according to intelligence cited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry warned Minsk against making “tragic mistakes” and cautioned about consequences.