Lukashenko accuses Lithuania of cigarette smuggling and Poland of blocking a spy swap involving journalist Andrzej Poczobut. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko claimed that cigarette smuggling from Belarus to Lithuania via weather balloons was organized by Lithuanian citizens, who, according to him, were "driven to crime" by their governments in Vilnius and Warsaw. He said the border fence destroyed local trade opportunities, forcing people to find "alternative routes." According to Lukashenko, Belarusians legally purchased cigarettes and resold them to Lithuanians, who then used balloons to smuggle them across the border. He also accused Poland of derailing previously agreed border openings and a prisoner exchange involving political prisoner Andrzej Poczobut and "two or three" alleged Belarusian intelligence agents detained in Poland. "The Poles ask for Poczobut. We say: 'Fine, we have two or three of ours held in Poland - let's swap.' They agreed, promised to open border checkpoints. Then, on October 30, they backed off to show solidarity with Lithuania. So we're putting things on pause too," Lukashenko said. Lukashenko also mentioned the United States, claiming Washington demanded he apologize to Lithuania. He added that a "big deal" with the U.S. - the release of political prisoners in exchange for easing sanctions - has not yet happened because, in his words, "ordinary people - teachers, doctors, engineers, carpenters - would condemn me for it," adding that he would act only "when they understand me."