Lithuania: PM Simonyte, Pres. Nauseda most influential politicians

Lithuanian experts regard Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, President Gitanas Nauseda, and Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis as the country’s most influential politicians in 2023, according to Reitingai magazine’s poll for DELFI, BNS reports. Reitingai interviewed 999 public figures in May-June 2023 for the survey. A separate Spinter Tyrimai poll showed that the public regards Nauseda as…

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Lithuania: Ministers urge EU to help Ukraine ship more grain via Baltics

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, Transport Minister Marius Skuodis, and Agriculture Minister Kestutis Navickas have sent a joint letter to the European Commission, in which they call for helping Ukraine export more grain via the Baltic States, BNS reports. The ministers argued that Baltic ports, railways, and roads could serve as a viable alternative route…

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Lithuania: Lithuanian, Georgian foreign ministers meet in Vilnius

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, met with his Georgian counterpart, Ilia Darchiashvili, in Vilnius on 11 July 2023, BNS reports. The two ministers discussed the regional security situation and Georgia’s EU membership prospects. Landsbergis noted that Georgia (Sakartvelo) was a NATO partner resisting Russia’s imperialist ambitions and hybrid threats. He urged Georgia to make full…

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Lithuania: NATO invitation for Ukraine must be “clear”: Foreign Minister

The invitation for Ukraine to join NATO must be "clear and irrevocable," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stated, The Baltic Times reports. Speaking after a leadership meeting at the presidential palace to prepare for the NATO summit in Vilnius, Landsbergis reiterated Lithuania’s full support for Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO. The meeting was also attended…

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Lithuania: No need for same sanctions on Russians, Belarusians: Foreign Minister

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that there was no need to impose identical restrictions on Russians and Belarusians in response to the possible relocation of Russian mercenary group Wagner Group to Belarus, BNS reports. Earlier, President Gitanas Nauseda criticised the decision of the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, to override his veto and approve different…

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Lithuania: No veto on NATO summit declaration on Ukraine: presidential adviser

Lithuania will not veto NATO’s Vilnius summit declaration on Ukraine’s membership even if the text is unsatisfactory, Asta Skaisgiryte, chief foreign policy adviser to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, stated, LRT reports. She emphasised the importance of unity within the defence alliance, noting that efforts were being made to secure the best possible outcome for Ukraine…

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Lithuania: Pres. Nauseda criticises Foreign Minister on German brigade debate

Lithuania’s President, Gitanas Nauseda, criticised the “harsh rhetoric” of Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis over the deployment of a full German brigade in Lithuania, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview with LNK, Nauseda said that such rhetoric was not helpful. He stressed the need to ensure trust in partner countries, noting that Germany was Lithuania’s “biggest…

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Lithuania: Foreign Minister urges Hungary not to delay Sweden’s NATO bid

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, urged Hungary not to delay the ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership until autumn 2023, Baltic News Network reports. He emphasised the importance for Hungary to fully comprehend the implications that such a delay could have on the security of the entire NATO alliance, particularly in the Baltic region. Earlier, the…

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