The Lithuanian government has decided to prematurely resume operations at two land border crossings (Medininkai and Šalčininkai) on the Lithuania Belarus border. These checkpoints, closed on October 29 due to a mass launch of contraband-laden balloons from Belarus, are expected to reopen within one day.
Conditions for Reopening and Carrier Reaction
Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė emphasized that the border would be closed again if the threat level from Belarus increases.
The government’s decision was met with relief in the business sector. Erlandas Mikenas, President of the National Association of Road Carriers LINAVA, stated: “We see that our arguments were heard, and dialogue with the government helped reach a decision that will benefit the entire industry.” LINAVA welcomed the government’s decision to resume operations at the checkpoints on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border.
Fate of Stranded Trucks and Refusal of Compensation
Due to the temporary border closure, over a thousand Lithuanian freight trucks were stranded in Belarus. The issue of their return and potential losses remains unresolved.
Lithuanian Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovich stated that there is still no precise information regarding the sanctions and taxation imposed by Belarus on the stranded vehicles. Conflicting reports are circulating about whether carriers are paying fines (120 euros) or not.
Prime Minister Ruginienė and Minister Kondratovich unequivocally declared that the state does not intend to compensate carriers for losses incurred in Belarus.
Ruginienė explained this by noting that carriers had been repeatedly warned that “Belarus is a complex and difficult country” and that they should have been aware of the risks when crossing the borders of Belarus and Russia.
Instead of compensation, Minister Kondratovich urged focusing on improving procedures and operations to eliminate bureaucratic delays that lead to logistical losses.
NEWSROOM IN notes that relations between Lithuania and Belarus have entered a phase of sharp confrontation, provoked by an unusual method of smuggling — air balloons. What began as a daily nuisance for Lithuanian airports quickly escalated into a full-blown transport and political crisis, endangering hundreds of Lithuanian carriers.
☛ Lithuania announced on October 27 its suspension of ground checkpoint operations with Belarus for one month as a pressure tactic.
☛ In response, Belarusian authorities on October 31, 2025, declared strict restrictions on the movement of European trucks through its territory until the end of 2027. Trucks and trailers with Lithuanian license plates are now only permitted to travel within the Belarusian-Lithuanian border section.
☛ As a result of this decision, over 1,100 Lithuanian trucks were “stranded” in Belarus. Minsk rejected Vilnius’s offer to organize the evacuation of the stranded trucks via the Šalčininkai checkpoint, stating it had no intention of making exceptions.
