"Do not involve the Americans" - Lukashenko convenes Security Council and speaks of balloons and Lithuanian lorries
On Tuesday, 9 December, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko convened a meeting of the Security Council. Among other matters, the meeting addressed the issue of Lithuanian lorries stranded in Belarus and the smugglers’ balloons, due to which the neighbouring country has today declared a state of emergency.
Speaking about the lorries, Lukashenko expressed irritation that in Lithuania they «begin to raise a clamour» over this, as reported by the state news agency BELTA.
«If they are staying by the roadside, perhaps that’s normal in Lithuania. For us, it is unacceptable. We have placed them in car parks, under guard, so that no one breaks into these vehicles and the cargo remains secure. There is no need to ‘raise a clamour and make a noise’ foolishly. Do not involve the Americans, Russians, or Ukrainians. That trick won’t work,» stated the head of state.
Commenting on the situation with the balloons used by smugglers to transport cigarettes into Lithuania, Lukashenko urged for an end to politicising this problem. According to him, specialists on the Belarusian side have «thoroughly worked through» this issue – «right up to civil aviation pilots.»
«What the Lithuanians are presenting to us today is impossible, it is unrealistic. Even if these balloons were flying there, if they were even flying, I spoke with pilots, they say: ‘This poses no problem whatsoever,’» Lukashenko’s press service quoted his statement.
The head of state also suggested that this problem might be being stirred up by those who «want a fight.»
«Why? That is the question. Do they really want a fight? We do not need a war. I am sure that the Lithuanian people do not need a war either, nor do the Poles, Latvians, and Estonians. We have had our fill of fighting, enough is enough. We lost so many people; generations that saw that war are still alive. We do not need a war!» Lukashenko stated categorically.
He once again called on the neighbours to keep the discussion of this issue «within the framework of bilateral talks» and stated that Minsk, for its part, is ready to build «normal relations» in all areas. The politician issued a veiled warning to those who «are trying to stir up some sort of conflict» in Belarus.
«It is unlikely they will succeed at anything. We will always come to an agreement with the people of Lithuania. Just as with the Poles. They are our people,» declared Lukashenko.
The Belarusian President called on his unseen counterparts to come to the negotiating table.
«And if you want normal relations – sit down at the negotiating table and discuss these problems. We are ready for that. There are no other options. And it is unlikely there will be,» the Belarusian President was quoted by the Sputnik agency.
And what are they saying in Lithuania?
In turn, Lithuania believes that the Belarusian authorities intend to raise the issue of lifting sanctions during the high-level talks demanded by Minsk.
Lithuanian Interior Minister Kondratovič stated that the Lithuanian lorries must leave Belarus without any conditions.
Lithuanian President Nausėda, for his part, stated that Vilnius is consulting on imposing new sanctions against Belarus, instead of negotiating with its authorities. He noted that he personally discussed this matter with the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of NATO.
«… regarding sanctions support, it will be implemented somewhat later, as these sanction packages are not adopted every day or every week,» said the President of Lithuania.
At the same time, Nausėda added that Vilnius suspects any negotiations with Minsk will «end with a very simple and direct question: ‘Will you help us get the sanctions on potash fertilisers lifted?’»