However, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys sees no reason for warming relations between Lithuania and Belarus and speaks of new problems.
Lithuania has been in the EU for 22 years and does not recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate president of Belarus. However, recently, the question of improving relations between the countries has been heard more and more often.
Now Lithuania maintains only technical ties with Belarus. “Talks, relations, support for technical exchange – this does not mean friendly relations, it’s not a red carpet, it’s not friendship,” Budrys says. – Lukashenko would like more, and this would already mean recognition of the regime.”
Earlier, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginenė said that everything depends on Lukashenko. It is possible to talk if he stops hybrid attacks against Lithuania.
However, Kęstutis Budrys and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda believe that Lukashenko is the generator of new problems in Lithuania. “The possible deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus,” the quotes the president by the portal Delfi.lt. – There is no final evidence of this yet, but the signs are there. “Oreshnik and others show one thing – this regime generates an unsafe situation in the region. And so to somehow reward them for such activities would be a misunderstanding from a political point of view.”
U.S. Special Representative for Belarus John Cole, who has already called for a thaw in relations with Belarus and the lifting of sanctions, plans to visit Lithuania and Belarus next week. Cole hopes that Lukashenka will release political prisoners as a result of the talks.
During Cole’s last visit, America lifted sanctions against Belarus in exchange for the release of prisoners.
In March 2026, U.S. Special Envoy to Belarus John Cole visited Lithuania, urging Vilnius to dialog with Minsk. The United States expressed interest in resuming supplies of Belarusian potash fertilizers through Lithuania and stated its desire to improve relations between the countries.
