MINSK, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov on Monday denounced Lithuania's latest border closure with Belarus as a deliberate provocation.
Ryzhenkov accused Vilnius of seeking excuses to justify anti-Belarusian and anti-Russian actions, including potential disruptions to transit to Russia's Kaliningrad or flight restrictions.
Belarus summoned Lithuania's charge d'affaires in Belarus Erikas Vilkanecas to the Foreign Ministry on Monday and delivered a protest note, which condemned the unilateral closure without prior notice, arguing it violates freedom of movement and affects citizens of Belarus, Lithuania, the European Union and others, the ministry said in a statement.
Lithuania announced on Monday that the country has drawn up plans to shut its border crossings with Belarus indefinitely, after weather balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes reportedly entered Lithuanian airspace. ■
