“Given the worsening geopolitical situation and the challenges posed by Covid-19 and migration, it would be irresponsible to risk the uncertainty that would result from even trying to form a new ruling majority or fundamentally change the composition of the government,” the prime minister said in a statement. “Therefore, taking into account the trust of the factions of the parties forming the coalition, the government will continue to work in the same composition, cooperating with other institutions, as provided for in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania.”
It has already been reported that the transit of Belarusjkali’s cargo through Lithuania was not stopped when the US sanctions came into force on December 8. It turned out that the Belarusian state-owned company had made an advance payment to the Lithuanian state railway company Lietuvos Geležinkeliai in November and that this amount was sufficient for it to continue transporting cargo to Belarusjkali in December, January and February.
According to the head of the state “Lietuvos geležinkeliai” Mants Bartuška, the company could face a fine of hundreds of millions of euros for breaking the contract.
The government has previously said it is looking for ways for the state railway company to terminate the contract for the transportation of Belarusjkali’s products, while stressing that US sanctions do not directly prohibit the flow of fertilizer in transit through Lithuania.
Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Landsbergis and Minister of Transport Skuodis resigned after taking responsibility for the fact that the transit of cargo to Belarus through Lithuania was not interrupted.
Last night, Šimonīte admitted the possibility that even her entire government could resign in this situation, but at the same time pointed out that it would be determined primarily by her own “assessment of her ability to safeguard the long-term interests of the state”.
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