Lithuania's Defence Minister, Arvydas Anušauskas, has stated that the presence of the Wagner Group in Belarus does not significantly change the security situation for his country.

As the Lithuanian minister mentioned in an interview with DW, the security situation in the region changed significantly when Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine.

"We are not going to shudder that some Russian mercenaries have appeared in Belarus. It does not substantially alter the security situation for us... The presence of mercenaries, whom we collectively call 'Wagnerites'... You know, Lithuania, like other NATO members, has both military and other capabilities to ensure its security, even without the assistance of its allies," Anušauskas emphasised.

He added that currently, there are about 2,000-3,000 Wagnerites in Belarus.

"That doesn't change anything substantially. Belarusian Armed Forces consist of 40,000 personnel. That could significantly change the situation. For example, if Belarus deploys its armed forces to our borders, then there will be a NATO reaction. But, as I said, we are not going to shudder at these 'Wagnerites'," the Lithuanian Minister of Defence underlined.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda previously stated that the presence of Russian mercenaries from Wagner in Belarus poses a serious threat.

In mid-July, Belarus announced the start of joint exercises with the Wagner Group at the Brest training ground near the Polish border. According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, as of 22 July, there were approximately 5,000 Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group in Belarus.

Poland decided to deploy its troops east because of the Wagner Group in Belarus, while Lithuania called the exercise a "demonstration action".

It was also reported that Warsaw was holding talks with Latvia and Lithuania on how to respond to the presence of mercenaries, and the three countries are considering the possible closure of borders with Belarus if necessary.