Lithuania’s stance on Belarus unlikely to soften, says Sinkevičius

Lithuania’s position on Belarus is unlikely to soften in the near future, according to Virginijus Sinkevičius, leader of the ruling Democratic Party, as reported by ELTA.

Speaking on the programme ELTA kampas, Sinkevičius stated that he sees no signs of a shift in Lithuania’s stance, noting that both the foreign minister and the president maintain a consistent position. He added that discussions in Brussels regarding sanctions also reflect this consistency.

“Do I see signs that the position is softening? No. The foreign minister is consistent, the president is consistent. In Brussels, at least in discussions about sanctions, I see our consistent position. In this case, I really do not see any signs that this position will change,” Sinkevičius said.

He acknowledged that while the situation could evolve, there is no indication of immediate change. Sinkevičius cited ongoing hybrid threats from Belarus, including the recent attempt by 28 migrants to enter Lithuania via a tunnel, as evidence of continued aggression. He also noted that Belarus remains a platform for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The draft programme of the new government has faced criticism for allegedly adopting a softer tone towards the Belarusian regime compared to the previous cabinet led by Ingrida Šimonytė. While the previous government explicitly labelled Minsk as a threat and committed to maintaining international isolation for Russia and Belarus, the new draft omits the threat designation and pledges to strengthen Belarus’s isolation only if Minsk continues to support Russian aggression against Ukraine or carries out hybrid attacks against Lithuania or the EU.

Opposition lawmakers have expressed concerns that the shift in rhetoric could influence next spring’s EU discussions on extending sanctions against Belarusian fertilizers. Prime Minister Sinkevičius, however, has stated that there are no plans to review Lithuania’s relations with Belarus in the immediate future. The Social Democratic Party leader also affirmed that his cabinet will maintain the previous government’s approach on this issue.

ELTA recalled that last December, the US special envoy to Belarus announced that the United States was lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash exports. Discussions on sanctions are ongoing. The Biden administration imposed sanctions on Belarusian potash fertilizers in 2021, following the disputed re-election of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. In 2022, the EU also adopted sanctions on Belarusian fertilizers. Lithuania’s state-owned railway company Lietuvos geležinkeliai subsequently terminated a transit agreement with Belaruskali in line with a 2022 government decision, which stated that the company posed a threat to national security.