Lithuanian PM calls truckers’ meeting with Belarusian counterpart a “personal matter”

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė stated on Thursday that truckers’ decision to meet with Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turčinas is their “personal choice,” public broadcaster LRT reports.

Speaking to journalists, Ruginienė said the government maintains communication with transport representatives but emphasized that travel decisions remain their own responsibility. “Whether they go or don’t go is their business. If I were in their place, I wouldn’t go, because there are political and diplomatic channels for this,” she said.

The meeting followed a request from Lithuanian and Polish truckers to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to resolve the issue of detained vehicles. According to Belarusian state news agency BelTA, Turčinas assured that Minsk has “no intention or desire” to confiscate trucks and seeks a “constructive agreement” to resolve the current situation.

Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry condemned the meeting as part of a “hybrid campaign” to pressure Vilnius. The National Carriers’ Association Linava and the International Transport Logistics Alliance (TTLA) denied participation, stating that an independent group of Lithuanian truckers attended instead.

The truckers’ initiative group confirmed to BNS that representatives from Lithuanian transport companies—formed in response to the crisis—and Polish delegates attended the Tuesday meeting. They described it as a “practical step” to protect truckers’ interests rather than a political engagement.

Key issues discussed included movement restrictions, potential losses, and operational continuity. While no immediate solutions were reached, Belarusian officials indicated a review of parking fees at designated lots where Lithuanian-registered trucks are currently held. Truckers reported assurances that vehicles would not be confiscated and that pricing would be adjusted, though no specific figures were provided.

Since late October, Minsk has blocked Lithuanian trucks from leaving Belarus, redirecting them to special parking areas where a daily fee of €120 per vehicle is imposed. Authorities had previously threatened confiscation after four months.