Lithuanian politicians meet US envoy to Belarus amid tensions with Minsk

Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė was not the only Lithuanian official to meet with US special envoy for Belarus John Coale during his visit to Vilnius, as lawmakers Ignas Vėgėlė, Rimas Jankūnas, and MEP Petras Gražulis also held talks, LRT reports.

The meeting at the Kempinski Hotel focused on Lithuania’s refusal to engage politically with Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, which has pressured Vilnius to open ministerial-level dialogue. Belarus has escalated tensions by allowing smugglers to send contraband balloons disrupting Vilnius Airport and detaining Lithuanian trucks.

Gražulis confirmed the discussions covered these issues, stating, “We agreed not to publicise [the meeting] too widely because Lukashenko reacts very sensitively. We discussed all current problems—relations with Belarus, our refusal to form a political delegation to resolve issues. We believe this is a mistake; if Donald Trump is seeking contact, we shouldn’t act too proud.”

The politicians reportedly presented an alternative stance to the government’s position, with Vėgėlė taking the lead in questioning. Gražulis added that the US envoy may have expected a different approach, asking, “Why do you think this way? Why is it like this?”

The talks also addressed the Kapčiamiestis training ground, fertiliser sanctions—which Gražulis called beneficial to Russia’s Uralkali at Lithuania’s expense—and the detained Lithuanian trucks. Gražulis suggested the trucks could be released soon, noting Coale’s hope to distance Lukashenko from Putin, though the method remains unclear.

“I don’t know what’s good here, but perhaps those trucks will be let go. We’ll see how this ends,” Gražulis said.