Lithuania closed several border checkpoints with Belarus until November 30, 2025, after smugglers launched balloons carrying contraband cigarettes from Belarusian territory. On October 31, the BelVestnik Telegram channel claimed that because of this decision Lithuanian long-haul drivers were unable to return home.
“Several hundred carriers have become hostages of their own authorities, who decided to seal the border with Belarus. Now the trucks are stuck, the drivers can’t get home, and supply chains are on the brink of collapse. (…) While Belarus remains calm and meets its obligations, Lithuania once again shows that Russophobia has no logic, only political fanaticism — and it ends up hurting the Balts themselves.”
In reality, the truck drivers are not stuck because of Vilnius’ decision at all. Lithuania’s October 29 government decree spells out exceptions: the restrictions do not apply to Lithuanian citizens and their families, residents with valid permits, holders of humanitarian visas, EU citizens, and other individuals approved by Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry. That means Lithuania is ready to let through any drivers who fall under these categories.
But the day after the next Lithuania closed the border, the Belarusian government banned Lithuanian and Polish heavy trucks from traveling through its territory. They are now allowed to stay only in designated areas, and they can leave Belarus solely through the border of the country where the truck is registered. In other words, Lithuanian trucks cannot return home via Poland or Latvia.
Moreover, according to the Lithuanian prime minister’s adviser, the Belarusian side imposed an additional rule: a truck may return only through the same border crossing it used to enter Belarus. Vilnius contacted the Belarusian border service in an effort to negotiate and open a corridor to evacuate the drivers. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry replied that this was Lithuania’s problem and urged Vilnius to fully reopen the border for everyone. That means the truckers ended up held hostage by the Belarusian authorities — not the Lithuanian ones.
