**Lithuania Takes Belarus to International Court Over Migrant Smuggling**
In a move aimed at addressing concerns over border security, Lithuania has initiated legal proceedings against Belarus in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The action, taken on May 19, accuses Minsk of facilitating and enabling the smuggling of migrants into Lithuania.
According to reports from the ICJ, Vilnius alleges that Belarus is responsible for a surge in irregular migrant crossings into Lithuania since 2021. These claims come as part of an effort by Lithuania to destabilize Ukraine’s EU and NATO ally. The court documents state that “the smuggling of migrants through Belarus into Lithuania has caused serious harm to Lithuania’s sovereignty, security, and public order.”
**A Pattern of Disregard**
Lithuania has accused Belarus of refusing to cooperate in limiting illegal migration despite previous demands for action. In April 2023, Vilnius reported that it had refused entry to over 20,000 migrants from Belarus. The country has also demanded that Belarus pay 120 million euros ($134 million) for facilitating the mass crossings.
**A Larger Context**
Belarus’s actions come amidst heightened tensions between NATO and Moscow following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As one of Russia’s staunchest allies, Belarus is part of Moscow’s efforts to destabilize NATO allies in the Baltics. This pattern of behavior has also been observed in neighboring Finland, where Russia has been accused of weaponizing migration by encouraging migrants from countries like Syria and Somalia to cross the border.
**A Strengthened Defense**
In response to these concerns, Lithuania continues to strengthen its defenses along its borders with Belarus and Russia. The country recently announced plans to invest 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) over the next decade in installing anti-tank mines to “block and slow” a possible invasion.
**A Warning from Western Intelligence**
Western intelligence agencies have warned of a potential large-scale war in Europe within the next five years, citing Russia’s increasingly aggressive posture. As tensions continue to rise, Lithuania’s actions are seen as part of a broader effort by NATO allies to strengthen their defenses against Russian aggression.
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