The Belarusian Foreign Ministry called Lithuania's decision to close the border another phase of escalation.

The construction of protective structures on the border with Belarus is the next phase of escalation on the part of the European Union (EU) countries. This was announced to Izvestia on October 28 by the country's Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov.

"This is another phase of escalation by our neighbors from the European Union, who are just making a business out of it," he said.

According to Ryzhenkov, EU countries have received about 43 billion euros to strengthen their borders, including mining fields and other measures.

The Belarusian Foreign Minister also noted that things are not so bad at the border, since the Western authorities have made an exception for diplomats and EU citizens to cross it.

"They showed their real attitude towards people, ordinary people from Belarus, Russia and other countries, who in their understanding, as I see it, are just second—class citizens," Ryzhenkov added.

Show trial: Lithuania threatens Russia and Belarus with sanctions

The Balts are pushing their neighbors to escalate the conflict

The day before, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginene said that the country had decided to close its border with Belarus indefinitely in response to incidents with balloons allegedly arriving from Belarusian territory. It is specified that cargo transport will not be able to cross the border. At the same time, exceptions will be introduced for diplomatic mail and diplomats, as well as citizens of Lithuania and EU countries. Belarus has handed over a protest note to the Charge d'affaires of Lithuania, Erikas Vilkanetsas, in connection with another unilateral closure of the border from the Lithuanian side without prior notice.

In turn, the Belarusian Foreign Minister called Lithuania's decision to close the border a provocation to justify anti-Belarusian approaches and the expansion of sanctions. He added that the Lithuanian government is trying to scare its own citizens and create panic because of the alleged threat from Belarus. The Russian Embassy in Vilnius advised citizens to refrain from traveling to Lithuania by car through Belarus.

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