Lithuania has decided to temporarily close two of its six border checkpoints with Belarus amid growing tensions, officials said. The crossings at Tverecius and Sumskas will be closed from August 18, with traffic diverted to the Medininkai border checkpoint with Belarus, which is the largest of Lithuania’s checkpoints. The decision came as Lithuanian authorities worried about the presence of the Russian Wagner private mercenary group in Belarus and illegal immigration. The State Border Committee of Belarus called the decision unconstructive and unfriendly. Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland have increased border security since thousands of Wagner fighters from Russia arrived in Belarus in recent weeks. To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Russian Service, click here.
Lithuania Closes Two Border Checkpoints With Belarus Amid Rising Tensions
Cars wait in line at Lithuania's Sumskas border-crossing point with Belarus on August 12.