Juozas Olekas, the Speaker of the Seimas, discussed the potential for restoring economic relations with Belarus, emphasizing that such a move is contingent on achieving peace in Ukraine. He highlighted that the conditions for cooperation not only involve addressing economic and political cooperation but also tackling issues such as the prevention of smuggling balloons and the release of political prisoners. These remarks were made in the context of ongoing discussions about the European sanctions regime against Belarus, which is set to be reviewed at the end of February.

Olekas noted that the discussion surrounding sanctions is crucial, as unity among European nations is necessary to extend current sanctions imposed on Belarus. These sanctions were implemented in response to various issues, including Belarusian actions that have disrupted Lithuanian air traffic due to incidents involving smuggling balloons from Belarus multiple times. He stated that if Russia's aggression in Ukraine could be halted and peace secured, it may open doors for improved economic relations with Belarus.

The situation highlights the interconnectedness of regional security and economic relations in Eastern Europe. The ongoing military aggression from Russia has created a complex environment where diplomatic and economic pathways are significantly influenced by the broader geopolitical landscape. Olekas's statements reinforce the importance of leveraging all available diplomatic channels to address pressing border and transportation issues that have resulted from Belarus's recent actions against Lithuania.