MINSK. Feb 22 (Interfax) - Minsk has described Lithuania's decision to close two border checkpoints as nothing but a politically motivated step, aimed to create "an enemy image" for Belarus, and pledged a harsh response.
"The Lithuanian government's decision to close another two checkpoints, Kotlovka-Lavoriskes and Privalka-Raigardas, on March 1, 2024, and to restrict passenger traffic is nothing but a politically motivated step taken, in particular, in the context of the accelerating election campaigns," the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
It said that Lithuania had copied the actions taken by Poland and Latvia last year amid the national election campaigns.
"Such manipulations have the only goal of artificially creating an enemy image for the neighbor, Belarus, covering up their own economic miscalculations, destruction of the transport industry, the mindless arms race, and violence against migrants at the border," it said.
The ministry pledged a harsh response to Lithuania's actions.
"Belarus will have to give a very harsh response to the highly unfriendly actions of Vilnius, with due account of the interests of its citizens and, as much as possible, citizens of neighboring countries," it said.