Balloons close Lithuanian airport as officials blame Russia and Belarus – Europe live

66 objects spotted on radars overnight leading to closure of Vilnius airport as senior official calls it part of a ‘hybrid psychological operation’ to disrupt everyday lifeLithuania closed its Vilnius Airport for the fourth time in a week last night after several objects, believed to be helium balloons, entered its airspace.The balloons were primarily believed to be used by smugglers transporting contraband cigarettes from Belarus, but authorities blamed Russia and Belarus for putting more pressure on Vilnius and testing the country’s readiness.the German foreign minister Joseph Wadephul’s visit to Brussels where he is due to meet Nato’s Mark Rutte and senior EU representatives,Hungary’s Viktor Orbán’s trip to see Pope Leo at the Vatican and the Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome,and the final days of the Dutch election campaign ahead of the polling day on Wednesday. Continue reading...