Stopping Belarusian Attacks on Lithuania

EU’s response to Belarusian hybrid attacks on Lithuania – 18 Dec 2025

• What is happening?
  Belarus has stepped up a “hybrid” campaign against Lithuania. It sends unmanned drones and weather‑balloons that fly into Lithuanian airspace, carries out cyber‑attacks and spreads fake news, and uses migration and economic pressure to destabilise the country. Lithuania has recorded:
  • 3 balloons in 2023, 184 in 2024, about 700 balloons and 200 drone intrusions in 2025;
  • 19 Lithuanian airports closed and hundreds of flights disrupted, affecting tens of thousands of passengers;
  • debris from drones that sometimes contains explosives;
  • illegal detention of European freight vehicles and threats to seize them.

• Why does the EU care?
  These actions are linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine and are part of a wider strategy to weaken the EU and NATO. They threaten safety, sovereignty and the free flow of trade.

• EU’s main points in the resolution

  1. Condemnation – The EU strongly denounces all Belarusian hybrid attacks and the Lukashenka regime’s coercive tactics.
  2. Solidarity with Lithuania – The EU stands with Lithuania and says a threat to one member is a threat to all.
  3. Demand to stop – Belarus must immediately cease all drones, balloons, disinformation, migration pressure, smuggling and economic coercion. All detained freight operators must be released and compensated.
  4. Support for Lithuania’s defenses – Lithuania is allowed to neutralise incoming unmanned objects; the EU will help by adding sensors, patrol aircraft and counter‑drone kits.
  5. Sanctions – The EU will add new sanctions against Belarusian officials, companies that build drones, and other actors involved in the attacks.
  6. EU‑NATO cooperation – Calls for tighter intelligence sharing, joint air‑policing, and exercises to practice dealing with balloon or drone intrusions.
  7. Eastern flank security – The EU’s next budget must fund stronger border, air‑space and transport security on the eastern side of Europe.
  8. Disinformation counter‑measures – The EU will boost strategic communication, fight fake news and help societies stay resilient.
  9. International pressure – The EU will bring the issue to the UN and other forums, demanding accountability from Belarus.
  10. Business advice – European hauliers and other companies are urged to reassess risks when operating near Belarus.

• Other notes
  • The US lifted some sanctions on Belarus on 13 Dec 2025 without EU coordination, which the EU criticises.
  • The EU does not recognise Lukashenka as the legitimate president and will only lift sanctions if he releases the ~1,100 political prisoners and stops using migration as a weapon.
  • The resolution will be sent to the Council, Commission, NATO, the UN and Belarusian authorities for further action.

This resolution is the EU’s formal call for an immediate end to Belarus’s hybrid attacks, stronger defense and security cooperation, and tighter sanctions to protect Lithuania and the rest of Europe.