Lithuania’s state security chief warns of higher risks if dialogue with Belarus begins

Lithuania would face increased risks if it engaged in dialogue with Belarus, the head of the State Security Department (VSD) has warned, as some politicians consider resuming limited contact with Minsk.

Remigijus Bridikis told ELTA Kampas, a programme by public broadcaster LRT, that security services had briefed decision-makers on the potential dangers. “Undoubtedly, from our perspective, we would see greater risks,” he said. “We have informed those responsible for decisions about what these risks are and how broadly they could be exploited.”

Bridikis stressed that while the VSD could outline risks, the final decision rested with political leaders. “The question is how we would manage these risks in the future if such decisions were made,” he said, adding that Belarus’s internal policies—including repression of its citizens and involvement in “certain criminal intelligence activities”—remained unchanged.

He identified two key objectives of Minsk’s actions: “One is to harm us, influence us, manipulate situations. The other is to seek a relationship with the West.” Economic incentives, he noted, would not alter Belarus’s alignment with Russia or its hostile stance toward Lithuania.

The comments follow a proposal by US special envoy for Belarus John Coale, who suggested Lithuania hold bilateral talks with Minsk at the vice-ministerial level and resume transit of Belarusian potash fertilizers through its territory. Some Lithuanian politicians, including MP Ignas Vėgėlė and coalition leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis, have signalled openness to such discussions.

However, presidential adviser Deividas Matulionis clarified that any lower-level dialogue would not signify a shift in Lithuania’s policy toward Alexander Lukashenko’s regime. President Gitanas Nausėda has stated that talks would only be possible if Belarus demonstrated a genuine willingness to foster neighbourly relations and cease threats against Lithuania—conditions he said have not been met.

Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė indicated Lithuania could consider the US envoy’s proposal if Minsk met three demands: halting cross-border contraband drones, returning detained Lithuanian trucks without financial penalties, and preventing illegal migrant crossings.