The Lithuanian government on Wednesday (Aug 16) temporarily shut down two of its six border checkpoints with Belarus amidst tensions over the presence of the Russian mercenary group Wagner in the eastern Europe country.

The government said that they are taking this decision due to “geopolitical circumstances.”

Tverecius and Sumskas crossing points, which were not used by commercial vehicles, will be closed and traffic will be diverted to the Medininkai border checkpoint, Lithuania announced.

Lithuania is the second neighbour after Poland to shut border checkpoints with Belarus.

Poland’s move stemmed from the imprisonment of a journalist of Polish origin and the expulsions of Polish diplomats.

Last week, Poland announced that it will move 10,000 additional troops to the Belarus border to support existing guards.

<h2>'Temporary measure'</h2>

“The main goal is to temporarily suspend operations at these two points from August 18,” Deputy Minister of Transport Agnė Vaiciukeviciūte said, according to AP news agency.

He said that the decision would allow the officers to perform better border control checks at other points.

Once part of the Soviet Union, Lithuania declared its independence around 33 years ago. It now belongs to the West-led NATO and the European Union and has been a strong supporter of Ukraine.

The Baltic nation has also emerged as a refuge for those who have fled an authoritarian crackdown in neighbouring Belarus, a Putin ally, and increased repression in Russia.

Lithuania has been repeatedly warning its Western allies that Wagner mercenaries could disguise themselves as asylum seekers trying to cross Belarus’s borders with EU member states, or stage provocations involving refugees.

“It could be some groups of refugees, irregular migrants being transferred in order to cause some kind of unrest,” Lithuanian deputy interior minister Arnoldas Abramavičius said in July.

Though it is unknown how many Wagner troops are present in Belarus, the commander of the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, Rustamas Liubajevas, has pegged the number up to 4,500, with some of them stationed close to the Lithuanian and Polish borders.

<h2>Eastern European countries wary of Belarus&nbsp;</h2>

The other neighbouring country that has been observing the border situation is Lativa, which mobilised additional guards on Tuesday to strengthen the protection of the external state border, the LETA news agency said.

According to reports, the decision was taken due to the sharp increase in the hybrid threat at the Latvian-Belarusian border over the past days, when 96 attempts by people to cross the state border were detected, as well as the increased involvement of the Belarusian authorities in organising the flow of illegal immigrants.

Latvia believes that these are attempts by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko’s regime to push migrants across borders as a method of hybrid warfare against these countries.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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The Lithuanian government on Wednesday (Aug 16) temporarily shut down two of its six border checkpoints with Belarus amidst tensions over the presence of the Russian mercenary group Wagner in the eastern Europe country.

The Lithuanian government on Wednesday (Aug 16) temporarily shut down two of its six border checkpoints with Belarus amidst tensions over the presence of the Russian mercenary group Wagner in the eastern Europe country. The government said that they are taking this decision due to “geopolitical circumstances.” Tverecius and Sumskas crossing points, which were not used by commercial vehicles, will be closed and traffic will be diverted to the Medininkai border checkpoint, Lithuania announced. Lithuania is the second neighbour after Poland to shut border checkpoints with Belarus. Poland’s move stemmed from the imprisonment of a journalist of Polish origin and the expulsions of Polish diplomats. Last week, Poland announced that it will move 10,000 additional troops to the Belarus border to support existing guards. 'Temporary measure' “The main goal is to temporarily suspend operations at these two points from August 18,” Deputy Minister of Transport Agnė Vaiciukeviciūte said, according to AP news agency. He said that the decision would allow the officers to perform better border control checks at other points. Once part of the Soviet Union, Lithuania declared its independence around 33 years ago. It now belongs to the West-led NATO and the European Union and has been a strong supporter of Ukraine. The Baltic nation has also emerged as a refuge for those who have fled an authoritarian crackdown in neighbouring Belarus, a Putin ally, and increased repression in Russia. Lithuania has been repeatedly warning its Western allies that Wagner mercenaries could disguise themselves as asylum seekers trying to cross Belarus’s borders with EU member states, or stage provocations involving refugees. “It could be some groups of refugees, irregular migrants being transferred in order to cause some kind of unrest,” Lithuanian deputy interior minister Arnoldas Abramavičius said in July. Though it is unknown how many Wagner troops are present in Belarus, the commander of the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, Rustamas Liubajevas, has pegged the number up to 4,500, with some of them stationed close to the Lithuanian and Polish borders. Eastern European countries wary of Belarus The other neighbouring country that has been observing the border situation is Lativa, which mobilised additional guards on Tuesday to strengthen the protection of the external state border, the LETA news agency said. According to reports, the decision was taken due to the sharp increase in the hybrid threat at the Latvian-Belarusian border over the past days, when 96 attempts by people to cross the state border were detected, as well as the increased involvement of the Belarusian authorities in organising the flow of illegal immigrants. Latvia believes that these are attempts by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko’s regime to push migrants across borders as a method of hybrid warfare against these countries. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

After Poland, Lithuania closes border checkpoints with Belarus due to ‘geopolitical circumstances’

The European Union on Thursday accused China of economically punishing Lithuania over its stance on Taiwan.

EU authorities believe this threatens the integrity of the bloc's single market and have launched a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Beijing.

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"Launching a WTO case is not a step we take lightly," said EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis in a statement.

"However, after repeated failed attempts to resolve the issue bilaterally, we see no other way forward than to request WTO dispute settlement consultations with China," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-row-with-china-taiwan-buys-lithuanian-liquor-in-show-of-support-442212">Also read |&nbsp;Amid row with China, Taiwan buys Lithuanian liquor in show of support</a>

The Commission said China's customs statistics showed a 91 per cent&nbsp;drop in trade from Lithuania to China in December as compared to the same month in 2020, with the most affected sectors being pharmaceuticals, lasers, electronics and food.

The EU executive said those actions appeared illegal under WTO rules and that attempts to resolve them bilaterally had failed.

In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, "The so-called Chinese coercion against Lithuania is groundless and inconsistent."

"The issue between China and Lithuania is a political one not an economic one," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-warns-lithuania-european-officials-over-taiwan-row-425294">Also read |&nbsp;China warns Lithuania, European officials over Taiwan row</a>

China has downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania and pressured multinationals to sever links with the Baltic state after it allowed Taiwan to open a de-facto embassy in Vilnius.

By going to the WTO, the EU lent support to accusations by Lithuanian business leaders and officials that the row has resulted in China blocking imports from Lithuania and other economic restrictions.

WTO challenges start with a formal 60-day period of consultations between the parties. If they do not resolve the dispute, the EU can request that a WTO panel rule on the matter. The WTO typically take years to resolve disputes.

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Union on Thursday accused China of economically punishing Lithuania over its stance on Taiwan. EU authorities believe this threatens the integrity of the bloc's single market and have launched a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Beijing.

The European Union on Thursday accused China of economically punishing Lithuania over its stance on Taiwan. EU authorities believe this threatens the integrity of the bloc's single market and have launched a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Beijing. "Launching a WTO case is not a step we take lightly," said EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis in a statement. "However, after repeated failed attempts to resolve the issue bilaterally, we see no other way forward than to request WTO dispute settlement consultations with China," he added. Also read | Amid row with China, Taiwan buys Lithuanian liquor in show of support The Commission said China's customs statistics showed a 91 per cent drop in trade from Lithuania to China in December as compared to the same month in 2020, with the most affected sectors being pharmaceuticals, lasers, electronics and food. The EU executive said those actions appeared illegal under WTO rules and that attempts to resolve them bilaterally had failed. In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, "The so-called Chinese coercion against Lithuania is groundless and inconsistent." "The issue between China and Lithuania is a political one not an economic one," he added. Also read | China warns Lithuania, European officials over Taiwan row China has downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania and pressured multinationals to sever links with the Baltic state after it allowed Taiwan to open a de-facto embassy in Vilnius. By going to the WTO, the EU lent support to accusations by Lithuanian business leaders and officials that the row has resulted in China blocking imports from Lithuania and other economic restrictions. WTO challenges start with a formal 60-day period of consultations between the parties. If they do not resolve the dispute, the EU can request that a WTO panel rule on the matter. The WTO typically take years to resolve disputes. (With inputs from agencies)

European Union accuses China of economically punishing Lithuania over its stance on Taiwan

The Lithuanian port of Klaipeda now faces possible economic difficulties due to the Baltic state government's hard line against President Alexander Lukashenko.

Lithuanian port of Klaipeda caught in the middle of Belarus crisis

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After Poland, Lithuania closes border checkpoints with Belarus due to ‘geopolitical circumstances’

European Union accuses China of economically punishing Lithuania over its stance on Taiwan

Lithuanian port of Klaipeda caught in the middle of Belarus crisis