TALLINN – The authoritarian leader of Belarus threatened Monday to seize over 1,000 Lithuanian trucks stranded in his country following the closure of its border with Lithuania in recent weeks after repeated incursions by weather balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes.

Lithuania, a NATO and European Union member, closed the two border crossings with Belarus on Oct. 29 after the meteorological balloons flying from Belarus caused repeated disruption of air traffic at the airport in Lithuania's capital of Vilnius. The border will remain closed until at least the end of November.

Recommended Videos

Lithuanian officials cast the flight disruptions as part of anti-Western activities by Russia-allied Belarus intended to undermine stability. Lithuania borders Belarus as well as Russia’s Kal

See Full Page