Lithuania to close two border checkpoints with Belarus

"On February 21, the government approved the closure of two checkpoints on the border with Belarus - Raigardas and Lavoryshkės. They will be closed from March 1, 2024," the statement says.

Neither pedestrians nor vehicles will be able to move through these checkpoints.

Starting in spring, pedestrian and cyclist traffic will be restricted at the Medininkai and Šalčininkai checkpoints.

The Lithuanian government has also agreed to gradually reduce the number of permits for bus transportation for both Belarusian and Lithuanian carriers, and to restrict passenger boarding and disembarking at the Kena railway station.

Lithuania's position on sanctions against Belarus

Recently, the heads of the customs services of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia agreed on unified control over the implementation of the EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus.

Also, at the beginning of the year, Lithuania revoked the residence permit of Ilya Epifanov, director of the Belarus sanatorium, which is used by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

In November, it was reported that Lithuania would impose fines for non-compliance with international and national sanctions.

In addition, the Lithuanian authorities extended national sanctions against Russia and Belarus for another year.