【Authored by Observer Network, Chen Sijia】According to Reuters, on December 9, the Lithuanian government announced that due to the "smuggling balloons" coming from Belarus posing a threat to public safety in Lithuania, the country has entered a state of emergency. Lithuania accuses the Belarusian government of allowing smugglers to use weather balloons to "cross-border transport cigarettes," leading to multiple closures of Vilnius Airport.

Belarus denies Lithuania's accusations, stating that the claims are inconsistent with the facts. Belarusian President Lukashenko accused Lithuania of politicizing the issue and emphasized that neither Belarus nor Lithuania needs war.

On the same day, Lithuanian Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič said at a government meeting: "Declaring a state of emergency is not only because of the disruption of civil aviation, but also for national security interests." He stated that the Lithuanian government will request parliament to authorize the military to cooperate with police and border guards during the state of emergency to detect balloons crossing the border.

If the Lithuanian parliament agrees, the military will be allowed to enter a specific area under certain restrictions, intercept and inspect vehicles, check people, documents, and personal belongings, and detain individuals who resist inspection or are suspected of crimes.

Kondratovič stated that the Lithuanian prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the balloons, and the intelligence agency will provide information indicating a connection between the balloons and the Belarusian government. "There is no evidence that Belarus is preventing people from using balloons; this is one of the pieces of evidence of their 'hybrid attack.'"

Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kanaš stated that the state of emergency will continue until the Lithuanian government lifts it.

A photo released by the Lithuanian border guards, without a date, shows border personnel inspecting a balloon. Associated Press

According to the Lithuanian government, since October this year, balloons from Belarus have posed a threat to Lithuanian civil aviation, causing Vilnius International Airport to close for more than 60 hours, affecting over 350 flights and about 51,000 passengers. Lithuania accuses the Belarusian government of allowing smugglers to use weather balloons to "cross-border transport cigarettes," disrupting air traffic.

European Commission President von der Leyen claimed on December 1 that the balloons constitute a "hybrid attack" by Belarus against Lithuania, worsening border tensions, and that it is "completely unacceptable."

The Belarusian government has denied Lithuania's accusations, stating that the claims are inconsistent with the facts. According to the Belarusian State News Agency, Lukashenko said on September that the Lithuanian government is politicizing the issue.

Lukashenko said: "The accusations that Lithuania has made against us are unrealistic. Even if these balloons are as they say, 200 each time (now they say 20 or 50), ... I spoke with pilots, and they said it doesn't pose any problem at all. Lithuania is making a big deal out of nothing, politicizing the issue. Why? Do they want to go to war?"

He emphasized that Belarus does not need war, nor do Lithuania, Poland, and Estonia, "We've had enough of war, we've lost too much. We don't need war."

Lukashenko called on Lithuania to negotiate with Belarus on all disputed issues, stating that Belarus is ready to establish normal relations in all areas, "We can reach an agreement with the Lithuanian people, just like with the Poles. If you want normal relations, come to the negotiation table to discuss these issues. We are ready."

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7581846123813126675/

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