A few days after the incursion of numerous meteorological balloons into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus (see EUROPE 13740/15), the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, threatened Minsk with sanctions if such activities were to continue, calling for them to cease immediately.
“Sanctions on the Belarusian regime have been imposed, and the EU is prepared to take further appropriate measures should such actions continue. We will not tolerate any hybrid campaigns directed against the EU or any of its Member States”, warned Ms Kallas in a statement on behalf of the EU.
She strongly condemned Belarus’ “persistent and provocative” and “unacceptable” actions.
“Meteorological balloon incursions (...) risk destabilising a EU Member State and attempt to intimidate European citizens through direct threats posed to civilian aviation” and are part of a broader targeted hybrid campaign, said the High Representative.
Ms Kallas called on the Belarusian regime to adopt “without further delay” effective measures to control its airspace, borders and territory, and fight organised criminal activities originating within it. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)