Speaking to Polish Radio 24, Latushka accused Lukashenko of staging provocations against Lithuania while claiming Belarus is preparing for war “so that war does not happen.” He compared the Belarusian leader’s remarks to Adolf Hitler’s statements in 1941 about alleged threats to Germany.
Lithuanian security services have warned of escalating provocations, including individuals posing as Lithuanian officials offering payment to release contraband balloons from Belarus into Lithuania.
Such balloons have repeatedly disrupted air traffic over Vilnius, located just 30 kilometers from the Belarusian border. Lithuania declared an “extreme situation” emergency on Tuesday in response.
Latushka said the balloon incidents are an effort to force Lithuania to ease its stance toward Lukashenko and EU sanctions.
“If he succeeds, Latvia, Poland, and others will be next,” he said. “You cannot give in to a blackmailer and criminal.”
He also pointed to Lukashenko’s recent proposal for a 2026–2030 defense plan and sweeping changes in Belarus’ military and internal security structures. Increased defense spending, new mobilization rules, and expanded army powers are signs, Latushka said, that “Belarus has never been so prepared for war.”
The opposition figure cited comments from Belarus’s chief of the general staff, who said the current situation is worse than June 1941, when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union.
The reference included mention of nuclear defense and a weapon known as “Oreshnik” that Belarus is reportedly set to receive this month.
Latushka said the rhetoric may be propaganda but warned it could also signal Russian intentions involving Belarus.
“Maybe they know something we don’t about what Russia is planning,” he said.
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Source: Polskie Radio 24