US President Donald Trump's envoy John Cole said on Saturday that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has promised to stop weather balloons flying from his country to Lithuania, Reuters reports.
"He recently agreed to do everything he can to stop the balloons," Cole said after two days of talks with Lukashenko.
We recall that balloons used by cigarette smugglers have closed Vilnius airport several times in recent months.
Lithuania accused Belarus of carrying out a "hybrid attack" declared a state of emergency on the issue, asking parliament to authorize military support for police and border guards to deal with smugglers.
Lukashenko said on Tuesday that Lithuania was exaggerating the problem.
"I believe the president of Belarus is sincerely trying to calm him down. I think it will take some time, but I think it can be resolved. He wants normal relations with his neighbors, he assures me, Cole said. I know Lithuania has done everything it can to stop the cigarette recipients or whatever it is. So I think both sides are working," he added.
European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen said on December 1 that the situation at the border was deteriorating and called the balloon invasion a "hybrid attack" by Belarus, which is "completely unacceptable".
We recall that Belarus released hundreds of political prisoners after a deal with the US.