Lithuania is ready for both symbolic gestures and concrete actions, including sanctions against Belarus, to break the regime of Alexander Lukashenko and lend a helping hand to the Belarusian opposition on the path to democracy.
There are hundreds of Belarusians in Lithuania who arrived after the presidential elections in August, which were followed by a huge wave of repression in Belarus. There are also several opposition leaders, including Svetlana Tihanovska. The European Humanities University in Minsk also operates there. There is no doubt that Lithuania plays a key role in the Belarusian opposition movement.
Lithuania has been one of the strongest critics of the Minsk regime. On Friday, in solidarity with the Belarusian people, as well as Latvia, which had practically severed diplomatic relations with Belarus, Lithuania recognized two employees of the Belarusian embassy as undesirable persons for the state. And they must leave the country within a week. Belarusian diplomats in Lithuania were not ready to talk to Latvian Television, indicating that questions should be addressed to the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In turn, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs insists that everything must be done now to help the Belarusian opposition movement.
“Lukashenko is a person who could be thought of as no worse, our relationship cannot be further damaged. But then he just does it.
It seemed to us that, after the stolen elections in August, relations between our countries were at the lowest possible point, as we cut off official contacts and summoned ambassadors for talks. This was the lowest point in many years. No one expected what happened last Sunday. Countless red lines were broken. We have to reckon with an individual whose actions are driven by paranoia. The threat that he will now release migrants and drugs across our border is further evidence that there is an unpredictable, unstable turmoil on the European border, ”said Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister Mantas Adomėnas.
At European level, countries have agreed on new sanctions against Belarus, affecting both officials and companies associated with the regime. “Of course, we are considering what to do now, what measures to take against the regime. I cannot reveal everything to you now, but we are very serious about it. The situation is unprecedented and very bad. Of course, the support of our European and NATO allies is particularly important now, because we cannot forget that ZAPAD military exercises are planned in our region. I believe that we are in the most serious situation in the last 30 years, “said the Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister.
At the same time, economic sanctions will be particularly severe for transit and logistics. Ultimately, this will also affect the Lithuanian Railways and the port of Klaipeda, as the companies control most of Belarus’ exports. Nevertheless, Lithuanian parliamentarians are convinced that there is no other way out of the current situation.
“This act, which was carried out by the Belarussian government, is terrorist. Of course, we need not only to say ‘do it no more’, we need additional measures. But the first thing we did in the Seimas was agree on a joint resolution. I am glad that 124 of the 125 Members voted in favor on Tuesday. We call what happened in it an act of terrorism and call on Europe to launch an international investigation. We, Lithuania, are also calling on others in Europe to prevent Belarusian airline Belavia aircraft from landing on their territory, and I am pleased to say that several countries have already implemented such a ban, ”said Domas Griškevičius, a member of the European Affairs Committee.
Parliament is also debating how to extend sanctions against European companies operating in Belarus and thus warming up the country’s economy. According to MEPs, Brussels must now do its utmost to break the Lukashenko regime.
Lithuania is ready to take the economic blow, says Vītis Jurkonis, head of the Freedom House think tank in Vilnius. “We have experienced an escalation in relations between countries before. Not only with Belarus, but also with the Kremlin. We already have experience.
I believe that Lithuania is accustomed to the blackmail of authoritarian governments, including economic retaliation. We have been able to experience it, diversify it.
I think that Lithuania is united in that it is not only for ideals, but also in our national interests. Democracy, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms are not only the basis of our country, but we also stand for it in our region, ”Jurkonis pointed out.
The day after the mayor of Riga, together with the Latvian Foreign Minister, changed the current Belarusian flag to the historic white-red and white in the center of Riga, Vilnius Mayor Remigijs Šimašus also decided to do so. “We must acknowledge the real situation today. Namely, our historically friendly neighbor is currently being captured by a terrorist organization led by Lukashenko. After the capture of the plane, which was basically piracy, it became clear to the rest of the world. This historical flag is reminiscent of the historical connection of our countries, our good region and our hope that one day the country will be free from terrorists, ”said Shimashus.
The mayor said that he was expressing both Vilnius and his attitude towards the events in Belarus, calling the forced landing of a Ryanair plane in Minsk a terrorist act.
CONTEXT:
May 23 Belarus forced to land in Minsk Ryanair ‘s 126 – passenger flight from Athens to Vilnius. Alexander Lukashenko, the leader of Belarus, has personally ordered the interception of the plane.
The purpose of the operation was to detain one of the passengers: a member of the staff of the Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlan Cihanouska, one of the founders of the opposition media “Nexta” Roman Protasevich. The Lukashenko regime accuses him of organizing riots, for which he faces 15 years in prison.
The actions of the Belarussian regime have been condemned by both the Belarusian opposition and Western officials, who have described as state-sponsored air piracy, hijacking of a passenger plane and gross violation of international civil aviation rules.
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