Lithuania's Historical Land Claims On Belarus: Valid Or Not?

The border between Belarus and Lithuania has been a source of contention for years. The two countries share a 678.8-kilometre-long international border, which has been a point of conflict, with Lithuania completing the construction of a new border barrier in 2022 to stop illegal migration. The current border was formed after World War I, following the establishment of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian–Soviet War. However, the historical borders of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which included modern-day Belarus, varied significantly throughout history. The Lithuanian nobility had manors and palaces in modern-day Lithuania and Belarus, and the two countries share a united medieval history. Belarusians and Lithuanians have competing claims over which group has a stronger historical claim to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, with some Lithuanians viewing Belarus as their ethnic land.

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania expanded into Slavic lands, including modern-day Belarus, in the 13th century

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a powerful medieval state that expanded into modern-day Belarus and other neighbouring lands in the 13th century. The Duchy was founded by Lithuanians, a polytheistic nation of several united Baltic tribes from Aukštaitija. It was initially led by Mindaugas, who was crowned Catholic King of Lithuania in 1253. The Duchy's consolidation of Lithuanian lands began in the late 13th century, and it continued to expand rapidly under the leadership of Gediminas and his sons, Algirdas and Kęstutis.

The expansion of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania into Slavic lands, including modern-day Belarus, began in the 13th century. This expansion was driven by military conquest and dynastic marriages. The Duchy's rulers, including Mindaugas, Algirdas, and Kęstutis, acquired the western principalities of Rus' in modern-day Belarus. These principalities either willingly joined the Duchy or were conquered. The Duchy's influence extended across the region, and it became one of the largest states in Europe, controlling territory from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Black Sea in the south.

The expansion of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania into Slavic lands had significant cultural and linguistic implications. The Duchy was a multi-ethnic and multiconfessional state, with great diversity in languages, religion, and cultural heritage. The East Slavs, or Ruthenians (later Belarusians and Ukrainians), formed a significant portion of the population in the eastern and southern regions. The Ruthenian language, also known as Old Belarusian or West Russian Chancellery language, was widely used as a colloquial language and became the language of administration under Vytautas' reign. The influence of Polish culture and language also grew over time, especially among the upper classes.

The expansion of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania into modern-day Belarus was part of a broader geopolitical shift in the region. The Duchy's rulers, such as Mindaugas, Algirdas, and Kęstutis, played a crucial role in shaping the Duchy's territorial growth and cultural diversity. The Duchy's relationship with neighbouring states, including Poland, Russia, and the Teutonic Knights, also influenced its expansion and the subsequent evolution of its cultural and political landscape.

Belarusians view Lithuania as the only successor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a large, multi-ethnic, and multi-confessional state that included modern-day Lithuania, Belarus, and parts of Poland, Latvia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Russia. The state was founded by Lithuanians, a polytheistic nation of several united Baltic tribes from Aukštaitija. However, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania expanded to include large portions of neighbouring states, including what is now Belarus.

The idea that Belarusians view Lithuania as the only successor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania stems from the pseudohistorical branch of nationalism, philosophy, and political current in Belarus called "Litvinism." According to this ideology, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a Belarusian state, and modern Lithuania is a consequence of a falsification of history. Some Belarusians claim that they are the "real Lithuanians," while modern Lithuanians are Samogitians, who never had their own state. They also assert that the Belarusians have "historical rights" to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius.

Supporters of Litvinism include interwar period Belarusians, Belarusian communists, long-term Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, members of the Belarusian opposition, and some modern Belarusian scientists. However, it is considered a fringe pseudohistorical theory by its opponents, including Belarusian political activist Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who stated that Belarusians respect the integrity and heritage of Lithuania. In 2024, a group of Belarusian organizations in Lithuania signed a declaration distancing themselves from the ideology of Litvinism and denying any territorial claims to Lithuania.

The dispute over the legacy of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania has led to tensions between Lithuanians and Belarusians, with some Lithuanians feeling that their history is being appropriated by Belarusians, and some Belarusians feeling that their history is being deleted from the record by Lithuanians. This conflict has been exacerbated by the Belarusian government's use of medieval symbols associated with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which has caused resentment among Lithuanians who grew up believing that this history was exclusively theirs.

While the idea that Belarusians view Lithuania as the only successor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania exists, it is not a widely held belief and is considered fringe by many. The dispute highlights the complex and often conflicting interpretations of history and the impact these interpretations can have on present-day politics and international relations.

The current Belarus-Lithuania border is based on a 1995 treaty

The current border between Belarus and Lithuania is based on a treaty signed on 6 February 1995. The treaty was the result of considerable diplomatic effort and defined the border as starting at the border tripoint of Lithuania, Latvia, and Belarus. The demarcation of the border was completed in 2007, and since 2004 it has served as an external border of the European Union.

The historical borders of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and later, following the partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, governorates of the Russian Empire, varied significantly throughout history and at times bore little resemblance to the modern borders. The formation of the current border began after World War I, following the establishment of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian-Soviet War. The Soviet-Lithuanian Peace Treaty was signed on 12 July 1920, defining and recognizing the eastern border of Lithuania, though it was de facto controlled by Poland due to the Polish-Lithuanian War and Polish-Soviet War. It was similar to the present border, but the Vilnius region was controlled by the Second Polish Republic.

Following World War II and the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states, a new border was established between the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union. This border is the basis of the current one and has remained largely stable since 1940.

In 2021, Lithuania accused Belarus of encouraging illegal migration from Iraq and Syria

Lithuania and Belarus have a long history of disputes and competing territorial claims. In 2021, Lithuania accused Belarus of encouraging illegal migration from Iraq and Syria, among other countries, in retaliation for EU sanctions. This accusation came after more than 4,100 mostly Iraqi migrants entered Lithuania illegally from Belarus. The Lithuanian government claimed that Belarus was flying in migrants from the Middle East and sending them across the border. In response, Lithuania erected a barbed wire fence along its border with Belarus and stepped up border patrols.

The dispute over migration is just one example of the tensions between the two countries. Lithuania has accused Belarus of violating its border and pushing migrants across, while Belarus has accused Lithuanian guards of being violent towards migrants and ignoring requests for asylum. The EU has condemned Belarus for trying to "instrumentalise human beings for political purposes." Lithuanian officials have also accused Belarus of helping migrants cross the border, claiming that Belarusian border guards do not respond to requests for collaboration. Belarus has denied these accusations, arguing that the increase in illegal crossings is due to the easing of COVID-19 border restrictions.

The issue of migration has also been politicised, with Belarusian opposition figures claiming that the Belarusian government is facilitating the passage of migrants to the EU. Lithuania's interior ministry has data showing that migrants are flown to Belarus and then cross the Lithuanian border illegally. In response to the influx of migrants, Lithuania has implemented a controversial policy of pushing back migrants, which has been criticised by human rights organisations.

The dispute between Lithuania and Belarus over migration is complex and multifaceted, with both sides accusing the other of wrongdoing. It is important to recognise that migration is a humanitarian issue that should be addressed collaboratively and in accordance with international law and human rights.

The Ryanair Flight 4978 incident in 2021 led to increased border controls and stricter visa requirements

On 23 May 2021, Ryanair Flight 4978, a regularly scheduled international passenger flight from Athens International Airport, Greece, to Vilnius Airport, Lithuania, was diverted by the Belarusian government to Minsk National Airport. The Belarusian government cited a Hamas bombing attempt as the reason for the diversion. However, it was later revealed that Belarusian opposition activist and journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega were arrested by authorities during the stop in Minsk. This incident led to widespread condemnation from the international community, including the European Union (EU), NATO, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

As a result of the incident, the EU and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued directives halting European airlines from flying over Belarusian airspace. Additionally, individual EU member states, such as Lithuania, took their own measures, with the Lithuanian cabinet banning all flights to and from Lithuania from flying through Belarusian airspace. These actions had a significant impact on Belarus, with the head of the Department of Aviation at the Belarusian Ministry of Transport and Communications, Artem Sikorsky, stating that the EU sanctions cost the country about $10 million per month.

The Ryanair Flight 4978 incident also led to increased scrutiny of border controls and visa requirements in the region. In response to the incident, the EU agreed to impose further economic sanctions on Belarus, including banning Belarusian carriers from flying over EU territory or accessing its airports from 4 June 2021. These sanctions were aimed at targeting key sectors of the Belarusian economy. However, the effectiveness of these sanctions is uncertain, as many companies in Belarus remain state-owned and are more dependent on Russia than the West.

In addition to economic sanctions, the EU and other countries implemented stricter visa requirements and border controls. For example, the United States announced plans to impose punitive sanctions targeting key members of the Belarusian government. The US, EU, UK, and Canada also issued a joint statement announcing further sanctions, including individual travel bans and asset freezes. These measures were intended to increase pressure on the Belarusian government and hold them accountable for their actions.

The incident also had broader implications for international travel and security. Several airlines, such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and Wizz Air, began rerouting flights to avoid Belarusian airspace due to safety concerns. This led to disruptions in air travel and increased costs for airlines operating in the region. The incident highlighted the complex nature of international aviation security and the challenges of ensuring the safe passage of passengers and crew.

Overall, the Ryanair Flight 4978 incident in 2021 had far-reaching consequences, including increased border controls and stricter visa requirements. The international community's response demonstrated a commitment to upholding the safety and security of international air travel and holding accountable those who threaten it.

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