Belarus's MFA threatens Latvia with asymmetric measures over border closure

Belarus's MFA stated that it may take retaliatory measures against Latvia, including those of an "asymmetric nature". This is how official Minsk responded to the closure of the only operational border crossing between Belarus and Latvia, Paterniekі–Hryharaŭshchyna.

The statement by the Belarusian ministry says that official Minsk reserves the right to initiate such actions "to protect national interests and citizens". The MFA of Belarus places all responsibility for the consequences on official Riga.

At the same time, Belarusian diplomats do not believe the Latvian side's official explanation of a technical malfunction. "It is telling that on the border with Russia there are somehow no 'technical problems' and traffic continues," the MFA of Belarus commented.

Latvia halted traffic at the border with Belarus on the evening of 31 July. Earlier, the country's authorities urged their fellow citizens not to visit Belarus, and those who had already gone — to return as soon as possible. 

On Monday, 3 August, Latvia's Ministry of Interior announced that it is proposing to the government to officially suspend operations at the Paterniekі crossing, citing national security concerns. This was written on social media by Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava. In that case, neither residents nor trucks would be able to travel from Latvia to Belarus by land. In recent years, this has been the only operational road border crossing between Latvia and Belarus.