Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, has appealed to the Lithuanian government to review its border restriction policy and restore transport links. She emphasized that the country's complete isolation plays into the hands of the Lukashenka regime, as it closes the path to salvation for people trying to escape political repression. This is reported by LRT, writes UNN.
Details
During her speech in Vilnius, Tsikhanouskaya noted that maintaining passenger traffic is critically important for keeping Belarusian civil society connected with Europe. According to her, the closure of checkpoints and the cancellation of bus routes harm ordinary citizens the most, not representatives of the regime who have other means of travel.
Tikhanovskaya moves her party's headquarters from Vilnius to Warsaw01.02.26, 06:26
We must keep the doors open for Belarusians, not push them into Russia's arms through complete isolation. Transport links are a humanitarian corridor for those seeking refuge from dictatorship
Lithuania's position and security risks
The Lithuanian authorities currently maintain a tough stance on the Belarusian direction due to ongoing hybrid attacks using illegal migrants and the strengthening of Minsk's military cooperation with Moscow. Representatives of the Lithuanian Ministry of Internal Affairs have repeatedly noted that a large flow of travelers increases the risks of penetration by Belarusian KGB agents.
Despite these warnings, Tsikhanouskaya insists on developing mechanisms that would allow separating security measures from a complete blockade of people's movement. She called for finding a balance that would ensure Lithuania's national security without ceasing to support the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people.