Lithuanian social democrats call for government agreement on Belarus relations

The leader of Lithuania’s Social Democratic Party (LSDP), Mindaugas Sinkevičius, has urged the president and government to align on future relations with Belarus, leaving open the possibility of direct talks with Minsk, BNS reports.

Speaking to the Baltic News Service, Sinkevičius stressed that Lithuania’s constitution requires the president and government to coordinate on key foreign policy decisions. “I would like the head of state and the government to agree on a shared vision,” he said.

His comments follow a visit by US special envoy for Belarus John Coale, who in March encouraged Vilnius to hold vice-ministerial talks with Minsk. Coale’s trip coincided with the release of over 150 political prisoners in Belarus and a partial easing of US sanctions.

Sinkevičius acknowledged “certain changes” after Coale’s visit, including progress on detained Lithuanian truckers and the suspension of migrant pushback operations. “Many say the wind still isn’t blowing in the right direction, but we must recognise that some shifts have occurred,” he noted.

While not ruling out dialogue, Sinkevičius cautioned against high-level engagement. “I wouldn’t suggest inviting them to Vilnius or going to Minsk, but if Washington proposed a trilateral meeting followed by bilateral talks, I believe we should attend,” he said, emphasising that diplomacy remains essential to foreign policy.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has previously stated that technical-level discussions with Minsk could proceed only if Belarus halts balloon incursions, releases all detained Lithuanian drivers without additional fees, and stops illegal migrant crossings. President Gitanas Nausėda has warned against overestimating the regime’s rhetoric.