Belarus threatens Latvia with "asymmetrical measures" over border closure

Belarus has threatened Latvia with "asymmetrical measures" in response to Latvia's closure of its border with Belarus. The closure, officially attributed to technical disruptions in information systems at the Paternieki border crossing, was met with skepticism by Minsk.

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The references to 'technical malfunction' at the Paternieki border crossing seem frankly unconvincing.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry stated that the explanation of a "technical malfunction" was "frankly unconvincing." Belarusian diplomats believe the move is politically motivated, directly linked to the upcoming Saeima elections scheduled for October 3 in Latvia. They suggested that Latvian Minister of Internal Affairs Janis Dombravas issued a written order for drivers at the border to turn back.

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This cynical step is related to the elections, to the Latvian Saeima elections scheduled for October 3.

Belarus warned that such "irresponsible actions" significantly harm international trade, negatively impact transit routes between the European Union, China, and Central Asian countries, and violate Latvia's own economic interests. The Foreign Ministry asserted that Belarus reserves the right to take retaliatory actions against Latvia, including asymmetrical measures, to protect its national interests and citizens. Minsk placed "full responsibility" for the consequences of these decisions on the official Riga.

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Such irresponsible actions cause tangible damage to international trade, harm transit routes between the European Union and China, as well as Central Asian countries, and violate Latvia's own economic interests.

This border closure follows Dombravas's earlier call on July 30 for Latvian residents to avoid travel to Belarus, citing potential difficulties in safe travel between the two countries due to Belarus's alleged "hybrid migration war." Latvian authorities view attempts by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko's regime to push migrants across the borders of Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland as a form of hybrid warfare against these nations. Latvian border guards reported preventing over 12,000 illegal crossings from Belarus in 2025 and 5,388 in 2024.

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Given this unfriendly step, Belarus reserves the right to take retaliatory actions against Latvia, including asymmetrical actions, to protect national interests and Belarusian citizens. Full responsibility for the consequences of such decisions lies with official Riga.