Poland and Lithuania May Also Close Borders with Belarus

The presidents of Lithuania and Poland, Gitanas Nausėda and Andrzej Duda, during a phone conversation today responded to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's announcement about closing borders with these countries, stating that they also could close the border with Belarus, according to the Lithuanian president's press service reported by tass.ru.

"The authorities of certain countries simply forget that the mirror principle operates in international relations. Borders can be closed from both sides," the press service quotes Nausėda's remarks. He described the actions of Minsk as "provocation without specific grounds."

Earlier, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that he is forced to close borders with Lithuania and Poland and tighten the country's borders with Ukraine. He appealed to the peoples of these countries, urging them to stop their "mad" leaders and not allow a "hot war" to begin.

"We are forced to withdraw troops from the streets, as I have already said, half of the army needs to be mobilized, and close the state borders with the West, especially with Lithuania and Poland. It is with great regret that we are also forced to strengthen the border with our brotherly Ukraine," said Lukashenko.

It should be noted that there is a tense internal political situation in Belarus. Protests have not ceased since the presidential elections held on August 9, with opposition supporters taking to the streets daily to protest the election results, which recognized the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, as the winner.