Prior to Lithuania’s run-off election on Sunday, Blinkevičiūtė had confirmed she was ready to lead the country’s next government. After the election results came in, however — and again on Monday — she avoided answering the question of whether she still wanted to lead the country. Blinkevičiūtė on Wednesday finally suggested Gintautas Paluckas, a former leader … Read more
Local media reported that health problems could be behind the party leader’s decision. Although it there were question marks from the beginning of the Lithuanian election campaign of whether she would take on the role, Blinkevičiūtė confirmed in the run-up Sunday’s run-off election that she would become the prime minister. However, after the results of … Read more
If approved, Kubilius — a former academic and two-time prime minister who has served as an MEP since 2019 — would have to give up his seat in the European Parliament. Kubilius, a co-author of the European Plan for Ukraine from 2017, is a vocal supporter of Kyiv and has a tough stance on Russia. … Read more
“It would have been a great honor to serve as Lithuania’s European commissioner, but I will continue to serve my country, help Ukraine and fight for Europe’s future in other ways,” Landsbergis said on X. He has asked Šimonytė to propose another candidate for the president to consider. Landsbergis shot to international fame in the … Read more
Incumbent Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda will return for a second five-year term after winning an election runoff on Sunday. Security concerns dominated the campaign, as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to wage a campaign of destabilization against the Baltic countries. Nausėda has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, as it seeks to fend off the Kremlin’s … Read more
Two men detained in Poland in early April on suspicion of assaulting Russian opposition figure Leonid Volkov in Vilnius are expected to be transferred to Lithuania by mid-May, a spokesperson for Lithuania’s prosecution service announced Thursday. The Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau, which is coordinating the transfer, has not disclosed whether it is also seeking the … Read more
Volkov was beaten outside his home in Vilnius in March, with his colleagues saying he had tear gas sprayed in his eyes and was beaten with a hammer. “They broke the window in his car and sprayed tear gas in his eyes, after which the attacker began to beat Leonid with a hammer,” wrote Kira … Read more
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is the EU leader with the closest ties to Putin and, to a lesser extent, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is also seen as pro-Russia. Nausėda’s view from behind closed doors is mirrored by public statements from EU leaders. The most dramatic shift has been by French President Emmanuel Macron, … Read more
