Belarus Blocks 1,000 Lithuanian Trucks at Border
Escalating Tensions Between Belarus and Lithuania
Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenka has issued a warning that he may seize over 1,000 Lithuanian trucks currently stranded in his country. This comes after the closure of the border between Lithuania and Belarus, which was initiated following repeated incursions by weather balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes.
Lithuania, a member of both NATO and the European Union, closed two border crossings on 29 October after meteorological balloons from Belarus disrupted air traffic at Vilnius Airport. The border will remain closed until at least the end of November. Lithuanian officials have accused Belarus of engaging in anti-Western activities, aiming to destabilize the region.
Lithuania shares its borders with Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. 
Belarusian Response to Border Closure
Lukashenka has criticized the border closure as a "mad scam" and part of a "hybrid war" against Belarus. He claimed that Lithuania itself needs to address the smuggling of contraband. Belarusian authorities have refused to create a special corridor for the evacuation of the stranded Lithuanian trucks, demanding that Lithuania fully reopen the border.
On Monday, Lukashenka stated that up to 1,200 Lithuanian trucks are stuck in Belarus due to the closed border and warned that authorities could confiscate them if the border remains closed. "If they don't do it in the next few days, we will make a decision in accordance with our law," he said. "Up to the confiscation of the vehicles."
The trucks have been moved to paid parking areas. "They can't just loiter on the roads — 1,100 or 1,200 big trucks," he added. 
Impact on Lithuanian Truckers
Erlandas Mikėnas, representing the Lithuanian National Road Carriers’ Association, expressed concern about the situation in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. He noted that drivers stranded with their vehicles were becoming increasingly "tired and angry," and some cargo could spoil due to the prolonged stay.
This tension is unfolding against a backdrop of heightened European security concerns, as drone incursions into NATO airspace have reached unprecedented levels since September. Some European officials have interpreted these incidents as Moscow testing NATO's response.
Diplomatic Efforts and International Relations
Lukashenka mentioned that Belarusian authorities would bring up the issue of the Lithuanian border closure during their discussions with Washington. In August, Lukashenka had a phone call with former US President Donald Trump, which led to speculation about a potential improvement in relations.
In the following month, Lukashenka pardoned 52 political prisoners as part of a deal brokered by the US, which helped ease sanctions on Belarus' national carrier, Belavia. This included the resumption of parts supplies and aircraft servicing.
Trump recently announced the nomination of John Coale, who played a key role in brokering the deal, as the US special envoy to Belarus. Coale will work on negotiating the release of more prisoners. 
