Lithuania Extends Closures; Poland May Reopen Crossings

Lithuania has extended closures and heavy restrictions at its land crossings with Belarus until the end of November after repeated airspace violations by small balloons carrying contraband cigarettes that disrupted Vilnius airport and were described by EU officials as part of a wider “hybrid” campaign. Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said she and Poland’s Donald Tusk agreed to coordinate responses and postpone any unilateral reopening of crossings. Tusk said Poland could be ready to open two crossings — Bobrowniki–Berestovitsa and Kuźnica–Bruzgi — on a trial basis in November but would consult with Lithuania and would not hesitate to close them again if threats resume; Kuźnica would initially limit vehicles to 3.5 tons because of road repairs while Bobrowniki has no such logistical constraints. Exemptions remain for diplomats, EU/NATO citizens, holders of Lithuanian permits and humanitarian visas, and transit to Kaliningrad, but the measures mainly affect Belarusian workers and cross‑border businesses. Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya backed Lithuania’s decision as justified, while Belarus condemned the closures as a “scam.”