Due to Belarus not allowing around a thousand Lithuanian trucks to leave, the president of the National Association of Road Carriers "Linava", Erlandas Mikėnas, stated that drivers remaining in Lithuania may resort to radical actions — including blocking roads, reports lrt.lt.
According to Mikėnas, the association is not seeking extreme measures, but carriers are extremely frustrated with the current situation.
"This decision is not up to me. A general meeting of the association members will take place on Wednesday, and we see how strong the outrage is among carriers. Proposals for road blockades and other protests are already being voiced," Mikėnas told the BNS agency.
He added that the leadership of "Linava" is trying to calm entrepreneurs and explain the situation, but cannot guarantee what decision the congress will make.
After Lithuania again appealed to Minsk on Monday evening to open the Mėdininkai and Šalčininkai border points, Mikėnas expressed doubt that Belarus would make concessions.
"Don't harbor illusions. Knowing the mentality of such states, it is pointless to expect their goodwill. As long as the border is closed, trucks will not leave," he emphasized.
The president of "Linava" also expressed confidence that some vehicles may be confiscated if they are not moved to parking lots.
According to the Belarusian agency "BelTA", about 800 Lithuanian trucks were placed at border sites as of yesterday: 70 at Kamenny Log, 160 at Benyakoni, 220 at Kotlovka, and 350 at Berestovitsa. Their drivers are allowed to leave Belarus.
As previously reported by BNS, Alexander Lukashenko ordered to charge 120 euros per day for each detained Lithuanian truck, and in case of non-payment, to confiscate the vehicles.
