Lithuanian Interior Minister outraged by carriers' words: After trips to Belarus, they return with "brainwashed" minds
Vladislav Kondratovich admits that even after Lithuania took control of smuggling networks, the Belarusian regime may continue to launch balloons towards Vilnius Airport, so Lithuania will sooner or later have to find ways to neutralize them,reportsLRT.
Photo: Radio Svaboda
"According to our data, no country has a solution that allows shooting down a balloon at an altitude of 10 km using a drone or other kinetic weapon," the minister laments.
However, he hopes that Lithuanian companies will be able to offer a solution for neutralizing balloons. The Ministry of Economy and Innovation has announced a 1 million euro program aimed at finding a way to combat balloons that smugglers fly into Lithuania. Three companies won the first stage of the competition, and a prototype weapon is expected to be ready in February.
Vladislav Kondratovich says he is one of those politicians who do not lose their composure in dealing with problems. The minister enthusiastically states that, despite the difficult situation, the police, border guards, and military are trying to disrupt smugglers' business ties in Lithuania, the military is controlling the airspace and looking for ways to protect it, businesses are testing various options for neutralizing balloons, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is making efforts to increase pressure on the Belarusian regime at the European Union level.
According to the minister, by launching balloons, the Belarusian regime seeks to pit Lithuanian state institutions against their own citizens, and by imprisoning truck drivers in Belarus, it tries to influence Lithuania through business.
Vladislav Kondratovich was outraged by representatives of long-haul truckers who visited Belarus and then demanded dialogue with Belarus from Lithuania, and expressed doubt that contraband balloons were even flying towards Lithuania.
"After being there for a couple of days, they return with a washed consciousness and say: no, balloons are not flying, and trucks are standing because we are not talking. So what will we talk about? About 'letting the trucks go'? What's unclear here — trucks must go! Apparently, this is an attempt to exert internal pressure on us. The same thing happens through residents who cannot fly for vacation or business," Kondratovich stated in an interview with the LRT.lt portal.
The minister also spoke about why he does not support a long-term closure of the border with Belarus, how he will supposedly try to prevent officers from leaving mandatory service after reaching retirement age, and how singing helps to learn the Lithuanian language.
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