Exploring Belarus' Unique Bordering Countries And Their Intrigue

The Baltic states are a geopolitical term for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, three countries on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. All three Baltic countries are members of NATO, the European Union, the Eurozone, the Council of Europe, and the OECD. They are bordered by Russia to the east and southeast, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian exclave) to the southwest. The Baltic states have historically been in many different spheres of influence, from Swedish to German, and before independence in the Russian sphere of influence.

Belarus and Lithuania share a border almost 679km in length

Belarus and Lithuania share a border that is almost 679km in length. This international border separates the Republic of Belarus, a CIS member, from the Republic of Lithuania, an EU member. The border is also the external border of the European Union and the western boundary of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The Belarus-Lithuania border has a length of approximately 678.8 km (421.8 mi), with 379.9 km (236.1 mi) on land and 298.9 km (185.7 mi) on water. It traverses lakes, such as Lake Drūkšiai, and follows rivers like the Dysna and Neman. The demarcation of this border was finalised in 2007, building upon a 1995 treaty between the two countries.

The history of this border has been dynamic. Prior to World War I, the borders of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth varied significantly from their modern incarnations. Following World War I and the Lithuanian-Soviet War, the Soviet-Lithuanian Peace Treaty of 1920 defined Lithuania's eastern border, resembling the present arrangement. However, the Vilnius region remained under Polish control.

After World War II and the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states, a new border emerged between the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union. This border formed the basis of the current one and has remained largely unchanged since 1940.

In recent years, the Belarus-Lithuania border has been a site of tension and increased border controls. Lithuania completed a border barrier in August 2022 to curb illegal migration. Additionally, in February 2024, Lithuania closed two additional checkpoints due to rising tensions with Belarus, an ally of Russia. These closures brought the total number of closed border crossings into Lithuania from Belarus to four.

The border between Belarus and Lithuania serves as an external border of the European Union

The border between Belarus and Lithuania is an international border almost 678.8 km (421.8 mi) long. It separates the Republic of Belarus, a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Republic of Lithuania, a member of the European Union. As such, the border between the two countries serves as an external border of the European Union.

The border between Belarus and Lithuania has a length of 379.9 km (236.1 mi) on land and 298.9 km (185.7 mi) on water, crossing lakes such as Lake Drūkšiai and following rivers such as the Dysna and Neman Rivers. The formation of the current border began after World War I, with the establishment of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian-Soviet War. The Soviet-Lithuanian Peace Treaty, signed on July 12, 1920, defined and recognized Lithuania's eastern border, which largely resembles the present border.

Since 2004, the Belarus-Lithuania border has served as the external border of the European Union, and since 2007, it has also been part of the Schengen Area. These developments led to increased border controls and stricter visa requirements for crossing between the two countries. In 2010, an agreement was signed to facilitate travel for people living within 50 km (31 mi) of the border.

In recent years, the border between Belarus and Lithuania has seen increased tensions and security concerns. In 2021, Belarus was accused of coordinating an influx of migrants, mainly from the Middle East and North Africa, to the borders of Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia. This led to a rise in unauthorized border crossing attempts and prompted Lithuania to declare a state of emergency. In response, Lithuania constructed a border barrier and implemented modern surveillance equipment to stem the flow of illegal crossings.

In February 2024, Lithuania decided to close two additional checkpoints with Belarus due to growing tensions and concerns over Belarusian intelligence activities. These developments highlight the ongoing challenges and security measures along the external border of the European Union.

The Belarus-Lithuania border is defined by the treaty of February 6, 1995

The country that borders Belarus, Lithuania, Estonia, and Russia is Latvia.

The Belarus-Lithuania Border Treaty

The Belarus–Lithuania border is an international border almost 678.8 km (421.8 mi) long between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Lithuania. The border is defined by the treaty of February 6, 1995, between the two countries, and the demarcation of the border was completed in 2007. The treaty sets out the precise path of the border, which starts at the border tripoint of Lithuania, Latvia, and Belarus, and ends at the border tripoint of Belarus, Lithuania, and Poland.

The border has a complex history, with the formation of the current border beginning after World War I, following the establishment of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian–Soviet War. The Soviet-Lithuanian Peace Treaty, signed on July 12, 1920, defined and recognized the eastern border of Lithuania, though it was de facto controlled by Poland at the time. 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 formed the basis of the current border and has remained largely stable since 1940.

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

In recent years, tensions have risen along the Belarus-Lithuania border, with Lithuania completing the construction of a new border barrier in August 2022 to stop illegal migration. In February 2024, Lithuania decided to close two more checkpoints with Belarus, bringing the total number of closed border crossings to four.

Lithuania shares a border with Latvia to the north

The existence of the border dates back to the Middle Ages, but the current border was established in 1918. The two Baltic republics—Lithuania and Latvia—jointly participate in the Interreg IV A “Latvia-Lithuania” programme, which aims to promote the sustainable socio-economic development of the cross-border region.

In addition to sharing a border with Latvia, Lithuania also borders Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian exclave) to the southwest. The Belarus–Lithuania border is almost 679km long and serves as an outer border of the European Union and the western border of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The border is defined by the treaty of 6 February 1995 between the two countries, and the ground demarcation of the border was completed in 2007.

The Lithuania–Poland border is 104km long and begins in the east at the tripoint formed by the borders of Belarus, Poland, and Lithuania. It initially follows the Marycha River and takes a north-westerly direction, crossing the Gaładuś Lake. The border ends at the tripoint of the borders of Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast), Poland, and Lithuania. Cross-border cooperation is ongoing in the areas of energy, and both countries are members of the Interreg IV A “Lithuania–Poland” operational programme focusing on sustainable development.

The modern Lithuania–Russia border was established after World War I. It largely follows the older border between the former German province of East Prussia to the south and Russia to the north. The 227km border passes through distinct physical features such as the Curonian Spit, the Neman River, Lake Vištytis, and the Curonian Lagoon. During the period when Lithuania was part of the USSR, the boundary between Russia and Lithuania was considered an internal boundary. After the break-up of the USSR, the boundary became external.

The border between Lithuania and Russia was established after World War I

The country that borders Belarus, Lithuania, Estonia, and Russia is Latvia.

Now, here is some detailed information on the Lithuania-Russia border, which was established after World War I.

The modern-day border between Lithuania and Russia was established after World War I. This international border separates the Republic of Lithuania, an EU member, and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave and part of the Russian Federation. The border is 274.9 km (170.8 mi) long and includes a 22.2 km (13.8 mi) sea border. Most of the border follows rivers or lakes, such as the Neman River, Šeupė, Širvinta, Liepona, and Lake Vištytis. The border also passes through the Curonian Spit and Curonian Lagoon.

The history of the Lithuania-Russia border dates back to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Grand Duchy of Moscow, with the first treaty between the two states signed in 1449. However, the borders have changed significantly over time and did not always reflect the ethnic or religious differences between the local populations. The modern border between the two countries largely follows the former Lithuanian-German border established in 1918, bordering Lithuania and East Prussia.

After World War II, the boundary between Lithuania and Russia changed again when Königsberg and the surrounding territory were annexed by the Soviet Union. This became an internal border of the Soviet Union between the Kaliningrad Oblast and the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Lithuania's independence in 1990, the boundary became an international border once more.

In 1997, Russia and Lithuania signed a border agreement to complete the demarcation and reduce inconveniences, such as the border running along the waterline of Lithuanian beaches on Lake Vištytis. Russia received territorial compensation in other areas as part of this agreement, which entered into force in 2003.

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