Belarus-Lithuania Border: Open Or Closed?

As of March 1, 2024, the border between Belarus and Lithuania is not fully open. Lithuania has closed four out of six border crossings with Belarus, leaving only two border checkpoints open—Medininkai and Šalčininkai. The closures are a response to national security concerns, smuggling, and violations of international sanctions on Belarus. Lithuanian authorities have also imposed restrictions on the remaining open border crossings, including prohibiting pedestrians and cyclists from crossing the border and banning the pick-up and drop-off of passengers at certain railway border checkpoints. These measures have sparked concerns among Belarusians about facing long waiting times when travelling between the two countries.

In March 2024, Lithuania closed the Lavoriškės and Raigardas border crossings

The border between Belarus and Lithuania has been a source of tension and increased security measures in recent years. In March 2024, Lithuania took the decision to close two more border crossings with Belarus, the Lavoriškės and Raigardas border crossing points. This move left only two out of six border points open for movement between the two countries. The Lithuanian government cited national security concerns, smuggling, and violations of international sanctions as the reasons for the closures.

The decision to close the Lavoriškės and Raigardas border crossings was announced in January 2024 and came into effect on 1 March 2024. This followed the closure of two other border crossings, Šumskas and Tverečius, in August 2023. The Lithuanian authorities have stated that these measures are necessary to protect their country and citizens from potential threats. In particular, there were concerns about the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, and the smuggling of people.

The impact of these closures on travellers and transport between Lithuania and Belarus has been significant. With only two border crossings remaining open, there have been reports of increased waiting times for those crossing the border. Belarusian citizens have expressed concern about the inconvenience and obstacles that the reduced number of border crossings will cause. The journey for Belarusians, especially those travelling to different destinations via the Vilnius airport, is expected to become more challenging.

In addition to the border closures, Lithuania has implemented other restrictions. The movement of pedestrians and cyclists has been halted at the remaining open border crossings, Medininkai and Šalčininkai. The pick-up and drop-off of passengers at the Kena and Kybartai railway border checkpoints have also been prohibited, except for humanitarian reasons or at the request of institutions. Lithuanian authorities have emphasised that these tightened measures are crucial to maintaining border security and addressing the issues of smuggling and sanctions violations.

The closure of the Lavoriškės and Raigardas border crossings is part of a broader context of border security and geopolitical tensions in the region. In August 2022, Lithuania completed the construction of a new border barrier to stem the flow of illegal migration from Belarus. This was followed by the Lithuanian government's renunciation of the agreement on cross-border cooperation with Belarus in January 2023. The relations between the two countries have been strained, with Lithuania taking steps to protect its national interests and security.

Only two border crossing points remain open: Medininkai and Šalčininkai

The border between Belarus and Lithuania is almost 678.8 km (421.8 mi) long, with 379.9 km (236.1 mi) on land and 298.9 km (185.7 mi) on water. As of March 1, 2024, only two border crossing points remain open between the two countries: Medininkai and Šalčininkai.

The Lithuanian government has gradually increased border controls and restrictions since 2004 when the border became the external border of the European Union. In August 2023, Lithuania closed the first two border checkpoints at Šumskas and Tverečius, citing possible threats from mercenaries of the Russian private military company, Wagner. In January 2024, Lithuania imposed movement restrictions and announced the closure of two more border crossings: Lavoriškės and Raigardas, effective March 1, 2024. These closures were motivated by national security concerns, smuggling, and violations of international sanctions.

The remaining two open border crossings, Medininkai and Šalčininkai, are subject to tightened measures and restrictions. Cyclists and pedestrians are prohibited from crossing the border at these points. Additionally, the pick-up and drop-off of passengers at the nearby Kena and Kybartai railway border checkpoints are also prohibited, except for humanitarian reasons or at the request of institutions. The Lithuanian government has emphasized that these measures are necessary to prevent any threats to national security and ensure the effective application of sanctions against Belarus.

The closure of border crossings has raised concerns among Belarusians, who anticipate longer waiting times and increased obstacles when travelling between Belarus and Lithuania. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya has criticized the measures, arguing that they create "iron curtains" and only benefit the authoritarian presidents, Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus and Vladimir Putin of Russia. However, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has defended the closures as necessary to prevent the circumvention of sanctions and reduce smuggling.

Lithuania completed a border barrier in August 2022 to prevent illegal migration

The border between Belarus and Lithuania has been a source of tension and increased security measures in recent years. In August 2022, Lithuania completed the construction of a new border barrier to prevent illegal migration. This barrier spans 502 kilometres (312 miles) and features modern surveillance equipment. The project was a response to a significant increase in illegal border crossings from Belarus, which led Lithuania to declare a state of emergency in July 2021.

The construction of the border barrier is just one of several measures that Lithuania has implemented to secure its border with Belarus. In August 2023, Lithuania closed two border crossings, Šumskas and Tverečius, citing potential threats from the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company. These closures left only four border crossings operational between the two countries.

In March 2024, Lithuania took further action by closing an additional two border crossings, Lavoriškės and Raigardas. This decision was made to address national security concerns, prevent smuggling, and enforce international sanctions on Belarus. With these closures, only two border crossings remain open between Lithuania and Belarus: Medininkai and Šalčininkai. However, even these crossings are subject to tightened restrictions, including a ban on pedestrians and cyclists.

The impact of these border closures has been significant for citizens of both countries. Belarusians have expressed deep concern over the reduced number of entry points, anticipating longer waiting times and increased obstacles when travelling to Lithuania. Meanwhile, Lithuanian citizens have been advised against travelling to Belarus and Russia due to security risks.

The measures implemented by Lithuania have proven effective in addressing irregular migration and people smuggling. However, they have also contributed to tensions between the two countries and impacted the ease of travel for citizens on both sides of the border.

In March 2024, Lithuania imposed movement restrictions on Belarusian and Lithuanian carriers

The border between Belarus and Lithuania is an international border almost 678.8 km (421.8 mi) in length. In August 2022, Lithuania completed the construction of a new border barrier to stop illegal migration. On 18 January 2023, the Lithuanian government renounced the agreement signed with Belarus 16 years ago on the principles of cross-border cooperation.

The closure of the border crossings has impacted cross-border traffic and transport. All cross-border traffic will now need to transit through the Medininkai-Kamenny Log and Salcininkai-Benyakoni border crossings, and transport disruptions and extended crossing times are likely. The Lithuanian government has advised its citizens not to travel to Belarus and Russia.

The decision to impose movement restrictions and close border crossings has been met with concern from Belarusian citizens, who anticipate longer waiting times and more obstacles when travelling between Belarus and Lithuania. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya has also criticised the measures, stating that they are building "iron curtains" and will only benefit authoritarian presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin.

The border is an external border of the European Union and the Schengen Area

The border between Belarus and Lithuania is an international border almost 678.8 km (421.8 mi) in length. It separates the Republic of Belarus, a CIS member, and the Republic of Lithuania, an EU member. The border is an external border of the European Union and the Schengen Area.

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, signed on 12 July 1920, defined and recognised the eastern border of Lithuania. However, it was de facto controlled by Poland at the time due to the Polish-Lithuanian War and the Polish-Soviet War. The border has undergone changes over the years, but it has remained largely stable since 1940.

Since 2004, the border has served as the external border of the European Union, and since 2007, it has also been the western border of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the external border of the Schengen Area. These developments led to increased border controls and stricter visa requirements for crossing between the two countries. An agreement signed in 2010 aimed to simplify travel for people living within 50 km (31 mi) of the border.

In recent years, Lithuania has taken measures to enhance border security and manage migration flows. In August 2022, Lithuania completed the construction of a new border barrier to stop illegal migration. As of March 1, 2024, Lithuania closed the Lavoriškės and Raigardas border crossing points, leaving only two out of six points open. The remaining open border crossings are subject to restrictions, including the halt of pedestrian and cyclist movement and the prohibition of passenger pick-up and drop-off at specific railway border checkpoints.

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