The European Union has condemned what it describes as persistent and provocative actions by Belarus against the EU and its member states. In a statement issued on behalf of the EU, the High Representative said these actions are unacceptable and contradict previous declarations by President Lukashenka to improve relations with the EU.
The EU cited meteorological balloon incursions from Belarus into Lithuania’s airspace, which have disrupted hundreds of flights and caused substantial losses to Lithuanian airports and thousands of travellers. According to the statement, these incursions risk destabilising an EU Member State and seek to intimidate European citizens through direct threats to civilian aviation.
Targeted campaign
The statement affirmed the balloons are not merely used for smuggling but form part of a broader targeted hybrid campaign that included state-sponsored migrant smuggling. It called for all such actions to stop immediately and urged the Belarusian authorities to adopt effective measures without delay to control their airspace, borders and territory, and to combat organised criminal activities originating within them.
The EU reaffirmed its full solidarity with Lithuania and other Member States affected by Belarus’ hybrid activities. It noted that sanctions have been imposed on the Belarusian regime and warned that further measures could follow if such actions continued. The statement concluded that the EU will not tolerate any hybrid campaigns directed against it or its Member States.
Stolen election
Lithuania and Belarus share a direct land border of about 680 kilometres. Last week the European Parliament hosted Belarusian pro-democracy leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her husband Siarhei Tsikhanouski. Both spoke on the occasion of a little over five years since the 2020 election was stolen by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenka, an election Mrs Tsikhanouskaya is widely believed to have won.
