France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation, has refused to hear the appeal of fugitive Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov against his extradition to Lithuania, BNS reported. Antonov was detained in France in December 2025 under a European arrest warrant issued by Lithuanian prosecutors. Earlier, a court in Lithuania convicted Antonov and his business partner, Raimondas…
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda rejected suggestions that relations with Belarus were improving, LRT reported. He said that there had been no positive changes on Belarusian balloon incursions, illegal migration, or participation in Russia’s war against Ukraine. There were thus no grounds to ease sanctions on Belarus, Nauseda stated. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said that…
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that drones which recently crashed in Latvian territory came from Ukraine, Ukrinform reported. Sybiha said that Russian electronic warfare had deliberately diverted the drones from their intended targets in Russia. He said that Ukraine was ready to send specialists to the Baltic States and Finland to prevent such incidents….
The municipal government of the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, plans to expand the city’s public transport network by 30% by 2030, LRT reports. The city intends to add 7 new routes, increase frequency on 44 routes, and adjust another 46 routes. However, the current bus and trolleybus network is nearing its physical limit, and the city…
Two freight trains derailed in Lithuania within 48 hours on 1 and 2 May 2026, prompting fears of possible Russian sabotage, LRT reported. However, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said that the accidents were caused by technical failure or human error, BNS reported. A spokesman for state-owned railway group Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai (LTG) said that the derailment…
Lithuania should not rule out dialogue with neighbouring Belarus, Mindaugas Sinkevicius, chairman of the ruling Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), stated, BNS reports. He suggested that contacts between deputy ministers could be possible, particularly if they take place at US invitation. Sinkevicius highlighted the release of political prisoners and the lifting of some sanctions after…
The Council of Europe’s advisory body on constitutional law, the Venice Commission, urged the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, to improve draft amendments to the law governing the country’s public broadcaster, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), BNS reports. The commission said that the draft law may violate the European Convention on Human Rights and the…
Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia will visit Lithuania on 18 May 2026, the Swedish royal court announced, BNS reports. The royal couple will meet with President Gitanas Nauseda and representatives of local organisations supporting Ukraine. Also, Queen Silvia will inaugurate a new nursing hospital in Vilnius. The last time that the Swedish…
The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, has stripped former prime minister Gintautas Paluckas of his parliamentary immunity, BNS reports. The decision allows prosecutors to investigate Paluckas for alleged illicit enrichment and abuse of office. Paluckas and his wife, Ilma Palucke, are suspected of having acquired cars, real estate, and securities worth nearly EUR 344,600 with income…
