Lithuania to close border with Belarus after balloons shut down Vilnius airport – Europe live | Europe
Prime Minister says Lithuania will close border with Belarus and drop balloons
We just Getting the first lines from the Lithuanian prime minister, Inga RuginieneFollowing this morning’s security council meeting.
The government will pursue a plan to close the border with Belarus “except for diplomats and EU citizens leaving Belarus.” he said and He has vowed to drop more balloons that will disrupt Lithuanian airspace.
“This is how we send a signal to Belarus and say that no hybrid attack will be tolerated here.“We will take the strictest measures to stop such attacks,” he said. LRT.
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Ruginienė says Lithuania is not ignoring NATO Article 4 talks over balloons
of Lithuania Ruginienė also said that he did not rule out the possibility of the country calling for NATO consultations on Article 4: Reuters reported.
Article 4, not to be confused with the much more serious Article 5 provision, allows countries to call for NATO talks “When, in anyone’s opinion, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any party is threatened.”
The procedure has only been used nine times in NATO history. however, it was triggered fairly recently by Poland and Estonia, following two incidents of Russian airspace violations in September.
Prime Minister says Lithuania will close border with Belarus and drop balloons
We just Getting the first lines from the Lithuanian prime minister, Inga RuginieneFollowing this morning’s security council meeting.
The government will pursue a plan to close the border with Belarus “except for diplomats and EU citizens leaving Belarus.” he said and He has vowed to drop more balloons that will disrupt Lithuanian airspace.
“This is how we send a signal to Belarus and say that no hybrid attack will be tolerated here.“We will take the strictest measures to stop such attacks,” he said. LRT.
Approximately 30,000 passengers were affected by disruptions at Vilnius airport last week
According to Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT, Vilnius Airport reopened this morning and almost 50 flights were affected by cancellations, deviations and delays, It hit thousands of passengers.
In total, More than 170 flights were disrupted throughout the week. Airport operator says it has made travel difficult for around 30,000 passengers LRT.
It was announced that the weight of some of the balloons detected near the airport reached 50-60 kg, and that the decision to close the airspace was deemed necessary as a precaution, as it was thought that it could have “dramatic” consequences if an incoming plane crashed.
Morning opening: Lithuania will consider response to balloons from Belarus closing its airspace
Yakup Krupa
Lithuania closed Vilnius Airport last night for the fourth time in a week after several objects believed to be helium balloons entered its airspace.
There were balloons It is believed to be used primarily by smugglers carrying smuggled cigarettes from Belarus. but officials accused Russia and Belarus of putting more pressure on Vilnius and testing the country’s preparedness.
Vilmantas VitkauskasThe head of the National Crisis Management Center told the country’s national broadcaster: LRT Up to 66 objects were detected on radars Sunday night.
Deividas Matulionis, A senior adviser to Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda said it was part of a “hybrid psychological operation” aimed at disrupting the daily life of Lithuanians.
“We are very I hope action is taken as soon as possible“But at the same time, very strong diplomatic steps must be taken and some legal measures must be taken, which must be approved by the Seimas as soon as possible,” he said. LRT.
The country’s national security council will meet today to discuss next steps. They include potential measures to temporarily close borders with Belarus or restrict passage through the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
I will note elsewhere:
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German foreign minister Joseph Wadephul He will visit Brussels where he will meet with NATO Mark Rutte and senior EU representatives,
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of Hungary Viktor Orbán trip to see Pope Leo At the Vatican and the Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni in Rome,
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and the final days of the Dutch election campaign before voting day on Wednesday.
There’s a lot to cover today. I will bring the latest developments here.
His Monday, October 27, 2025, his Yakup Krupa here and this Europe Live.
Good morning.
