Recent Belarusian actions against Lithuania “could be recognised as terrorism,” Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene stated, BNS reports. She was referring to the launch of smuggler balloons from Belarus into Lithuanian airspace and the detention of Lithuanian trucks in Belarus. The actions endangered aviation security and violated international law, Ruginiene noted, saying that she was…
Estonia’s Minister of Economy and Industry, Erkki Keldo, has approved a national action plan to broaden equal opportunities and protections for LGBTIQ people, ERR reports. The plan sets goals to ensure that everyone in Estonia has equal opportunity to live a full, supported, and inclusive life, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or…
Lithuania does not oppose the European Commission’s (EC) decision to withdraw a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over China’s trade restrictions on Lithuanian goods, Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry announced, BNS reports. The EC argued that the main objectives of the dispute had been achieved and trade had resumed. However, the Foreign Ministry pointed out…
The EU is preparing new sanctions against Belarus, following repeated incursions of smuggler balloons from Belarus into Lithuania, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced, BNS reports. Earlier, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys urged the EU not to allow the Belarusian regime to blackmail and escape its international isolation and have sanctions lifted, ELTA…
A group of MPs in Lithuania has established a parliamentary working group to push for the restoration of full diplomatic relations with communist China, ELTA reports. The working group’s chairman, MP Ignas Vegele of the opposition Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVZS), called on Lithuania to bring its diplomatic ties with China in line with…
Three members of the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, have submitted a draft resolution to recognise Palestinian statehood, BNS reports. The resolution was submitted by two MPs from the far-right populist party, Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA), Petras Dargis and Karolis Neimantas, and MP Rimas Jonas Jankunas of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVZS). Both parties are part…
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna panned comments by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel who implied that the Baltic States and Poland bore indirect responsibility for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, ERR reported. Tsahkna said that the reason for Russia’s aggression lies in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “inability to come to terms with the collapse of the…
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Kestutis Budrys, hoped that “significant progress” be made in EU membership talks with Ukraine by the first half of 2027, BNS reported. He warned that if full negotiations did not begin by 2027 and were not completed in 2027 or early 2028, Ukraine’s EU accession would be “almost unrealistic” by 2030. Budrys…
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid a working visit to Latvia on 8 July 2025, LSM reported. He held talks with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics and Prime Minister Evika Silina. Steinmeier highlighted Germany’s special connection and historical and cultural ties with Latvia. Speaking about bilateral cooperation on security policy, he noted that Latvia was beginning to…