"Companies suffering huge losses" - expert Kireyev on Lithuania's closure of border with Belarus

Due to the Lithuanian authorities' decision to close the border with Belarus, businesses have faced significant losses. Against this backdrop, Poland is demonstrating a more pragmatic approach by opening two border crossings.

Vladimir Kireyev, political scientist (Russia):

"Lithuania, which has invested heavily in transport and logistics infrastructure for trade between Belarus and Russia, is now being held hostage by its leadership. Because the money it invested in the transport and logistics system is now disappearing. It's already gone. Companies are suffering huge losses. The republic has little revenue, and the population is held hostage by its government, politically engaged. And now Lithuanians and Lithuanian businesses are similarly wondering why the Poles have accommodated their businessmen and entrepreneurs, while the Lithuanian leadership ignores their interests. It appears that Poland has chosen the path of realism, while Lithuania is being held hostage by ideology."