In Vilnius, Cole also met with Lithuanian opposition politicians

Yesterday, at the Kempinski hotel in Vilnius, MPs Ignas Vėgėlė and Rimas Jankūnas, as well as MEP Petras Gražulis, met with the representative of President Donald Trump, LRT reports.

As is known, the Belarusian side is pressuring Lithuania, urging it to start a dialogue with Minsk at the ministerial level, but Lithuania refuses to do so. The pressure manifests, in particular, in sending hot-air balloons with contraband across the border, which occasionally disrupt the operation of Vilnius Airport, as well as in the detention of Lithuanian trucks and semi-trailers.

"We agreed not to publicize this meeting too much, because Alexander Lukashenka reacts very sensitively. We discussed all the most pressing issues today — relations with Belarus, the Lithuanian side's refusal to form a delegation and conduct negotiations at a political level to resolve all issues. We believe that this is a mistake and that it is still necessary to talk. If Donald Trump negotiates, calls, and seeks contact, we should not overly demonstrate our principled stand," said P. Gražulis.

According to him, issues of contraband balloons and detained trucks were also discussed at the meeting. "I don't want to comment in detail, but if we talked, perhaps these trucks would have already been released. This is my conclusion," the politician stated.

Gražulis noted that the most active at the meeting was MP Ignas Vėgėlė, who raised most of these issues. According to him, the politicians presented an alternative position compared to that of the Lithuanian government.

"Our position differs from the official one. I think the Americans want to understand why there is no cooperation and negotiations, why a political group for dialogue is not being created. Alexander Lukashenka appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs for negotiations, but the Lithuanian side refused. Perhaps the Americans want to hear another point of view — why you think so and why it happens this way," said the MEP.

According to Gražulis, issues of the training ground in Kapčiamiestis and sanctions against fertilizers were also discussed at the meeting.

He noted that these sanctions, in his opinion, benefit Vladimir Putin and harm Lithuania, as fertilizer prices have risen, and the Russian company "Uralkali" has begun to receive greater profits. According to him, the meeting participants presented a position that differs from that expressed by the President of Lithuania and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Gražulis also stated that he had the impression that the Lithuanian trucks detained by the Belarusian authorities might be released.

In addition, according to him, John Cole expressed hope to distance Lukashenka's regime from Vladimir Putin, although it is still unclear how this could be done.

"I don't know, but probably these trucks will be released. We'll see how it all ends," said P. Gražulis.

Petras Gražulis is an independent MEP known for his criticism of homosexuality, as well as his outspoken opposition to the current Lithuanian elites.

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