Belarus imposes sanctions against Lithuania for unfriendly actions
Belarus imposed sanctions against Lithuania for unfriendly actions (photo: Getty Images)
Belarus has decided to ban the import of various goods from Lithuania, including food products, alcohol, building materials, household appliances, and clothing. This decision comes in response to Lithuania's closure of two border crossing points on March 1, according to the Belarusian news agency BelTA.
In early March, Lithuania closed two border crossing points with Belarus – Lavoriškės and Raigardas. The decision was aimed at ensuring national security, preventing smuggling, and complying with international sanctions.
In response, Belarus has banned the movement of a range of goods across the Belarusian-Lithuanian border, regardless of their country of origin. The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs hopes that the sanctions will harm the operations of numerous Lithuanian logistics operators and lead to a loss of income.
"The possible claims of Lithuanian business representatives should be addressed to their government, which makes decisions that contradict national interests," emphasized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Similar sanctions have been announced against Latvia, which this year imposed an embargo on the import of Belarusian food products.
It should be noted that Belarus has deployed military equipment and personnel to the border with Lithuania. On the night of March 14, Belarus moved a 46-car train with equipment and military personnel to the Ashmyany district. It borders Lithuania. "Units of the 19th mechanized brigade were transferred to the Ashmyany district," local media reported.
