LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN, June 2, 2025

LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

IN THIS ISSUE:

Ukrainian President Zelensky arrives in Lithuania to attend Vilnius Summit
Lithuanian president urges NATO countries to step up future defense funding commitments
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Monday, June 2, 2025
Lithuania turns away 18 irregular migrants on border with Belarus
Over 10 European leaders meet in Vilnius to discuss defense spending, aid for Ukraine
Lithuania's Skvernelis to attend NB8 parlt speakers' meetings in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Lithuania has many key projects likely to secure EU defense loans – Kubilius (expands)
'Drone wall' is as important as physical border – Lithuania's EU commissioner
Lithuanian president says he'll draw conclusions about PM's loan story after COEC verdict (media)
Lithuanian ministry recommends talking to teenagers about Russian recruitment threats (media)
Ukraine's attack on Russian air bases a wake-up call for Moscow – Lithuanian advisor
Lithuanian MPs mull reimbursing 1st automatic weapon acquisition costs for riflemen
Over 10,000 people take part in Vilnius Pink Soup Fest parade
Funds raised in Lithuania for US soldiers' families to go to TAPS foundation
Lithuanian president urges NATO countries to step up future defense funding commitments (expands)
All allies agreed on Ukraine's NATO membership – Rutte in Vilnius
Makauskiene becomes head of IOM Lithuania
NATO chief says members will need to spend more on defense, gives no specific figure
Zelensky on peace talks after Russia drone attack: you'll see everything
All allies agreed on Ukraine's NATO membership – Rutte in Vilnius (expands)
Lithuanian-American actress Lee receives award from Lithuanian Foreign Ministry
NATO chief says members will need to spend more on defense, gives no specific figure (further expands)
Zelensky on peace talks after Russia drone attack: 'You'll see everything' (expands)
Duda says he'll encourage Nawrocki to strengthen Poland's ties with Lithuania
Lithuanian president to deliver his State of Nation Address on Thursday
Bucharest Nine, Nordic leaders, in Vilnius, pledge to work toward 5 pct of GDP on defense
Baltic Pride 2025 festival kicks off in Vilnius
New prisoner exchange planned after latest round of peace talks – Zelensky
New prisoner exchange planned after latest round of peace talks – Zelensky (expands)
No sign of US troop withdrawal from NATO's eastern flank
New prisoner exchange planned after latest round of peace talks – Zelensky (further expands)
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Tuesday, June 3, 2025
NATO's Hague Summit must send message on defense funding, Ukraine support – Nauseda
NATO jets in Baltics scrambled 12 times over Russian aircraft last week

Ukrainian President Zelensky arrives in Lithuania to attend Vilnius Summit

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Lithuania on Monday to attend the Vilnius Summit.

His plane landed at Vilnius airport at around 10:38 a.m., a BNS photographer at the scene reports.

Vilnius is hosting on Monday a summit of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic countries with a focus on defense funding and support for Ukraine.

The summit brings together leaders from the Baltic states, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Iceland, as well as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Zelensky.

The meeting is aimed at aligning regional positions ahead of NATO's summit in The Hague.

It's Zelensky's fourth visit to Lithuania since the start of the war in his country, and his sixth in total. The last time he visited the Baltic country was in April 2024.

Kyiv calls Vilnius one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

Lithuania actively supports Ukraine's EU and NATO membership. In terms of economic size, Lithuania is one of the largest contributors of military aid to Ukraine.

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Lithuanian president urges NATO countries to step up future defense funding commitments

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Monday called on NATO to step up the implementation of future defense funding commitments.

With the United States pressing allies to allocate 5 percent of their GDP to defense, diplomats say NATO countries will seek to agree on this commitment by splitting it into two parts at the upcoming summit in The Hague later in June.

The proposal is to increase defense funding alone to 3.5 percent of GDP and to allocate a further 1.5 percent of GDP to defense-related needs such as the development of dual-use infrastructure.

NATO countries are considering a 2032 deadline for such a commitment, but Nauseda argues that this should be done within the next five years.

As the leaders of eastern and northern NATO countries gather in Vilnius on Monday to discuss the upcoming Hague meeting, Nauseda says that "Russia is not waiting" and is seeking to reform its military forces immediately.

"We have very limited time to do the same. I think we should talk about three to five years", the Lithuanian president told reporters at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in central Vilnius.

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Upcoming events in Lithuania for Monday, June 2, 2025

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Monday, June 2, 2025:

PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to attend the Vilnius Summit at noon; to hold a joint press conference with the NATO secretary general, the Ukrainian, Polish and Romanian presidents and the Danish prime minister at 3 p.m.

PRIME MINISTER Gintautas Paluckas to meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store at 3.30 p.m.; to meet with NATO Secretary Genera Mark Rutte at 4.05 p.m.; to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at 6.30 p.m.

FOREIGN MINISTER Kestutis Budrys to attend an OECD Ministerial Council Meeting.

INTERIOR MINISTER Vladislav Kondratovic to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Konhauser-Duda at 3 p.m.

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Lithuania turns away 18 irregular migrants on border with Belarus

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Lithuanian border guards have turned away 18 migrants attempting to cross into the country from Belarus illegally over the past 24 hours, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) said on Monday morning.

Latvia reported 47 illegal border crossing attempts on Sunday. Poland denied entry to 139 irregular migrants on Saturday, according to the latest available information.

Lithuania has barred 818 irregular migrants from entering from Belarus at non-designated places so far this year, after turning away 1,002 in 2024

The influx of irregular migrants into the EU's eastern member states from Belarus began in 2021 and is blamed by the West on the Minsk regime.

Lithuanian border guards have blocked around 23,800 attempts by foreign nationals to cross into the country illegally from Belarus since the start of the migration crisis.

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Over 10 European leaders meet in Vilnius to discuss defense spending, aid for Ukraine

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Vilnius is hosting on Monday a summit of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic countries with a focus on defense funding and support for Ukraine.

The meeting is aimed at aligning regional positions ahead of NATO's summit in The Hague.

"The Vilnius summit will center on two main topics: preparations for the NATO summit in The Hague and support for Ukraine. Those will be the focus of two dedicated sessions," Deividas Matulionis, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda's chief national security advisor, told BNS ahead of the event.

The NATO summit in The Hague is set to take place in about three weeks, with defense spending expected to top the agenda.

Five percent for defense

US President Donald Trump has for some time been urging allies to more than double their defense spending commitments – up to 5 percent of GDP.

NATO members are currently committed to spending 2 percent of GDP on defense, although not all of them have yet reached that target.

In response to the potential challenges of allocating 5 percent of GDP, Rutte has proposed that NATO members raise defense spending to 3.5 percent of their GDP and commit a further 1.5 percent to broader security-related expenditures.

"If we manage to reach a decision in The Hague to jointly raise our defense budgets to at least 3.5 percent purely for defense within the shortest possible time, then that summit could rightly be called historic," Matulionis said.

The advisor said the goal of Monday's meeting in Vilnius is to agree broadly on the 5 percent target, without dividing the commitment into parts."

"We'll try to push for moving toward 5 percent for defense. That's our goal," he said. "If 14 nations recognize the need to go in that direction, that would be a very strong political signal going into the negotiations in The Hague."

So far, the Baltic states and Poland have publicly announced plans to allocate 5 percent of GDP or more for defense.

Despite Slovakia's and Hungary's skeptical stance on aid to Ukraine, Matulionis said this issue will remain an important topic in Vilnius.

Traffic Restrictions

Traffic restrictions have been put in place in the Lithuanian capital during the summit.

From Sunday through Monday evening, parking is prohibited in the lot near Cathedral Square, on Sventaragio and L. Stuokos-Guceviciaus streets, on the section of Universiteto Street between Sventaragio Street and Liejyklos Street, and on the section of A. Jaksto Street between Gedimino Avenue and Beatrices Street.

On Monday, all traffic except public transportation is banned on T. Kosciuskos, Arsenalo, T. Vrublevskio, Sv. Jono, Barboros Radvilaites and Trispalves streets.

Short-term traffic stoppages are expected on routes between Vilnius Airport and the city center due to motorcades, potentially causing delays for public transport.

Drivers are advised to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel and use alternative routes where possible.

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Lithuania's Skvernelis to attend NB8 parlt speakers' meetings in Bosnia and Herzegovina

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Saulius Skvernelis, the speaker of the Lithuanian parliament, is heading to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday for a two-day working visit.

He will take part in meetings between Baltic and Nordic (NB8) parliamentary leaders and the host country's political leadership, the Seimas speaker's office said.

The aim of the visit is to express solidarity with Bosnia and Herzegovina and its multiethnic society, as well as to share Lithuania's political and practical experience in pursuing membership in the European Union, it said.

Also visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina are the speakers of the Finnish, Swedish and Latvian parliaments, as well as the deputy speakers of the Norwegian, Icelandic, Estonian and Danish parliaments.

The EU agreed in March 2024 to open accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but the process will only begin once the Balkan country implements more key reforms.

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Lithuania has many key projects likely to secure EU defense loans – Kubilius (expands)

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Lithuania has a number of important defense projects that are likely to receive a positive assessment from the European Commission when it comes to granting loans from the European Union’s 150-billion-euro defense fund, European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius has said.

"How much Lithuania will request is a question for Lithuania, but everything will depend on the projects it submits," Kubilius told reporters at the Rudninkai military training area on Friday.

"To qualify for these SAFE loans, it's not enough just to apply – very specific projects have to be put forward. There's quite a tight timeline – two months from this week to file applications, and another four months to submit specific projects," Lithuania's EU commissioner said.

"From what I hear, Lithuania is preparing actively, and I believe we have a whole range of very important defense projects in Lithuania that will definitely receive a positive assessment from the European Commission," he added.

Kubilius said the Baltic Defense Line – a system of counter-mobility measures being developed along NATO's eastern border – has been included in the EU's White Paper.

"That shows Europe understands how important this defense effort is," he said.

Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Tomas Godliauskas said the Baltic Defense Line projects will require more than 10 billion euros in funding.

Godliauskas added that the projects will be financed not only through EU defense fund loans, but also through the European Defense Industrial Program (EDIP) and the bloc's multiannual budget framework.

"SAFE wasn't created just for this project. From Lithuania's perspective, I can say we're aiming to secure around 8 billion euros in funding to strengthen our military capabilities, build the defense line and invest in our national defense system," he said.

The White Paper, presented in March, outlines solutions for closing critical capability gaps and building a robust industrial defense base. It proposes ways for member states to increase defense investments, procure defense systems and enhance Europe's defense industry readiness in the long term.

Finance Minister Rimantas Sadzius said last week that Lithuania, along with neighboring countries, is already preparing loan applications for the EU defense fund.

Sadzius said he believes not all EU member states will apply for funding from the program, meaning there should be enough resources available for "serious projects" in countries bordering Russia and Belarus.

Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has said Lithuania hopes to borrow up to 7 billion euros from the 150-billion-euro fund.

Kubilius has previously said Vilnius will be able to borrow "substantial amounts" from the fund under favorable conditions.

The EU's 150-billion-euro loan program is aimed at helping member states rearm in response to the threat from Russia and growing concerns over the reliability of the United States as a security partner.

The SAFE borrowing facility, backed by the EU's central budget, was proposed by Brussels in March as part of the bloc's drive to urgently bolster Europe's defenses. Up to 35 percent of the value of weapons financed through the program may come from suppliers outside the EU and Ukraine.

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'Drone wall' is as important as physical border – Lithuania's EU commissioner

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius believes that drone capabilities are just as important for border security as physical barriers and that countries in the region should develop them.

"We have to explore ways to use all the latest technologies when it comes to border security. For example, the Ukrainians manage to protect a ten-kilometer frontline stretch into Russian-occupied territory using drones," Kubilius told an LRT TV program on Friday evening.

"In other words, a drone wall is, I think, no less important than a physical border. I see an opportunity for the countries in our region to beef up the entire border barrier by using truly significant drone capabilities," he said.

Earlier on Friday, the EU's eastern border defense project was unveiled at the Rudninkai military training area in eastern Lithuania.

According to the Lithuanian Defense Ministry, the project will reinforce the 2,300-kilometer border with Russia and Belarus. It builds on existing national initiatives – the Baltic Defense Line and Poland's East Shield.

In May 2024, Agne Bilotaite, then Lithuania's interior minister, announced that countries in the region had agreed to develop a so-called "drone wall."

She told BNS at the time that the initiative would involve using drones to monitor the border and deploying anti-drone systems to intercept drones used for smuggling and provocations by hostile states.

However, in early March this year, Lithuania and Estonia did not receive EU funding for the project.

Lithuanian Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic has said the countries will return to the issue at a planned meeting in Estonia in June.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has said the issue will have to be dealt with using state funds.

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Lithuanian president says he'll draw conclusions about PM's loan story after COEC verdict (media)

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda says he will draw conclusions about the soft loan granted to a company co-owned by Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas after the assessment of the Chief Official Ethics Commission.

"There are issues that are in the so-called shadow zone and in order not to have any room for interpretation, let them present their verdict and then we will draw our conclusions,” Nauseda told TV3 News on Friday.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Tapinas said he had correspondence between an unnamed company and representatives of Emus and Garnis, two companies co-owned by Paluckas, proving that the unnamed company had been paid for the goods using the soft loan Garnis received from the national development bank ILTE, but the goods were delivered to Emus, which was initially not eligible for the loan.

The Special Investigation Service told BNS it's assessing the latest information.

Garnis, which plans to start the production of battery systems, received a 200,000-euro soft loan from ILTE when Paluckas was already in office, according to a joint investigation released Wednesday by the investigative journalism center Siena and Laisves TV.

The report states that the loan – the maximum available under the Start program for young small and medium-sized enterprises – was granted in early February.

The prime minister owns 49 percent of Garnis and 51 percent of Emus. The latter would not have been able to qualify for the loan because it has been in business too long. Garnis would also not have been able to obtain such a loan if it was formally part of a group of companies with Emus.

Questions have therefore been raised as to whether Garnis was created as a sham in order to obtain the loan.

Up until now, Paluckas and the executives of the two companies have maintained that they are engaged in different activities and produce different products.

In February and March, Paluckas was involved in government decisions related to ILTE, including submitting amendments to the law governing the bank's operations and setting borrowing limits for central government entities, including the development bank.

The prime minister has asked the Chief Official Ethics Commission to assess the situation, although he maintains he's not in a conflict of public and private interests.

The SIS says it's looking the latest media reports, and ILTE has vowed to carry out an internal audit within a week and has launched an unscheduled inspection into the possible misuse of the loan.

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Lithuanian ministry recommends talking to teenagers about Russian recruitment threats (media)

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Schools in Lithuania received a recommendation from the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport a few days ago, urging them to talk to teenagers about the potential dangers of recruitment by Russian special services officers, the delfi.lt news website reports on Monday.

The document refers to the Kremlin's services, which use this tactic quite extensively in Ukraine, where adolescents are recruited for a fee for various intelligence tasks and acts of sabotage.

Such t teenagers are paid in cryptocurrency and are assured that there is no risk in completing these tasks.

School leaders are advised to talk to students, encourage them to be responsible about threats and share their suspicions with the State Security Department.

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Ukraine's attack on Russian air bases a wake-up call for Moscow – Lithuanian advisor

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Ukraine's massive drone attack on Russian air bases over the weekend should serve as a wake-up call for the Kremlin, Deividas Matulionis, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda's chief national security advisor, said on Monday.

"It's (...) a wake-up call for Russia to realize that Ukraine has the capability to inflict serious damage on its military forces," he told LRT Radio.

According to Matulionis, the operation carried out by Kyiv is fully legitimate under international law.

On Sunday, Ukraine carried out a large-scale attack on Russian military aircraft, hitting several bases deep inside Russian territory.

Officials said drones struck 41 aircraft across several airfields, including A-50 surveillance planes and Tu-95 and Tu-22M bombers.

Following the Ukrainian attack, Russian and Ukrainian officials are expected to hold a second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday to exchange their plans for how to end the three-year war.

"This (operation) could serve as an additional incentive to seek solutions for a so-called ceasefire or truce. How long that truce would last, how extensive it would be, what it would or wouldn't cover – this is likely to be the topic of today's talks in Istanbul," Matulionis said.

Meanwhile, the United States administration is trying to use every possible diplomatic lever before imposing sanctions, the advisor said.

"If we see movement toward some kind of resolution and a slight improvement in the overall mood, there might be a chance to gradually reach a peace deal," Matulionis said.

"But if nothing comes out of Istanbul again, if no agreement is reached, it will once again convince the Americans and President (Donald) Trump that Russia is simply stalling for time," he added.

Matulionis said US sanctions targeting Moscow are ready to go.

"They could be imposed very quickly, with no need for lengthy discussions. It's much simpler than at the European Union level. (...) Once the political will is there, the sanctions will follow. That sword of Damocles is still hanging, unused for now, to give more room for a diplomatic solution," he said.

By Paulius Perminas, Vilmantas Venckūnas

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Lithuanian MPs mull reimbursing 1st automatic weapon acquisition costs for riflemen

VILNIUS. Jun 02, BNS – Lithuanian lawmakers have started considering the possibility of compensating members of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union for part of the costs related to the purchase of their first automatic firearm.

Last week, MPs accepted such an amendment to the Law on Personal Income Tax for further consideration after 39 MPs voted in favor, seven were against and 30 abstained. The bll will be now considered by parliamentary committees.

"If we are talking about security, it is very important that a member of the Riflemen's Union, who has a gun permit, should have a gun at home," MP Ligita Girskiene of the opposition Lithuanian Farmers and greens Union, who initiated the motion, told BNS.

"The possibility of recovering part of their personal income tax paid might be a small one, but it would still be an incentive to buy an automatic weapon, and when the Day X comes, if it does, they would not have to rush to the headquarters to get the weapon, they would be able to take the weapon from home," the MP explained.

According to the bill, members of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, who are entitled to use a weapon for their service, would be allowed to deduct from their income the costs incurred for the first purchase of an automatic firearm.

A similar bill was submitted by a group of MPs in the fall of 2023, but the then Simonyte government did not support it.

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Over 10,000 people take part in Vilnius Pink Soup Fest parade

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS - More than 10,000 people took part in a parade that was organized during the Vilnius Pink Soup Fest, a festival of Lithuanian cold beetroot soup, on Saturday, according to the city's business and tourism development agency Go Vilnius.

“No other city in the world has such a pink festival: the annual surprise festival has already become the most anticipated and fun festival not only for Lithuanians, but also for foreign guests, who came again from all over the world this year," Dovile Aleksandraviciene, the head of Go Vilnius, said.

In her words, last year, the festival set two records as 1,200 festival guests sat down at the longest table of 362 meters to enjoy the cold beetroot soup.

This year, the Vilnius TV Tower hoisted a pink soup flag.

The Vilnius Pink Soup Fest was held for the third time this year. The soup is one of the traditional dishes in Lithuania.

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Funds raised in Lithuania for US soldiers' families to go to TAPS foundation

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Donations raised in Lithuania for the families of four US soldiers who died at the Pabrade military training area earlier this year will be transferred to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Andrius Tapinas, founder of the Laisves TV channel, said on Sunday.

"Laisves TV will transfer the money to TAPS, a US foundation that has been supporting the families of fallen American service members for over 30 years. The foundation has committed to distributing the funds to the families of the four soldiers who died in Lithuania,” Tapinas wrote on Facebook.

In late April, he said that around 280,000 US dollars had been raised for the soldiers' families.

Tapinas noted that both US and Lithuanian diplomats and military officials, as well as the State Tax Inspectorate, had approved the choice of the foundation and the way the funds will be used.

He shared a letter from Mindaugas Mazonas, Lithuania's defense attaché to the US and Canada, recommending the foundation, and with a letter from TAPS President Bonnie Carroll, in which she said the foundation was "honored to serve as the steward of these donated funds."

In her letter to the Defense Ministry and Laisves TV, Carroll said "the funds will be distributed in equal amounts to the primary next of kin for each of the four soldiers." She added that the foundation would also offer psychological, emotional and community support.

TAPS will also "work to create a special opportunity for the families to meet with representatives of Lithuania."

"This gathering will offer a meaningful space for connection, remembrance, and the sharing of condolences – honoring both the memory of the fallen and the spirit of the Lithuanian people who gave so generously in their name," Carroll wrote.

Tapinas said the legal arrangements with the foundation are expected to be finalized in the coming week and pledged to inform the public once the funds have been transferred and have reached the families.

Founded in 1994, TAPS is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that provides support to families grieving the loss of US service members and veterans. It runs support programs both in the United States and abroad.

The four US soldiers went missing at the training area in eastern Lithuania on March 25 while operating an M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle.

The search and rescue operation lasted a week and involved Lithuanian, US, Polish and Estonian military personnel, as well as police and civilians.

The vehicle was pulled from a swamp on March 31 with the bodies of three soldiers inside. The body of the fourth soldier, who had drowned, was found the next day.

The US embassy in Vilnius, the Defense Ministry and the NGO Stiprus Kartu (Strong Together) organized a solemn farewell ceremony in Vilnius' central Cathedral Square to honor the soldiers.

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Lithuanian president urges NATO countries to step up future defense funding commitments (expands)

Updated version: updates throughout

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Monday called on NATO to step up the implementation of future defense funding commitments.

The proposal is to increase defense funding alone to 3.5 percent of GDP and to allocate a further 1.5 percent of GDP to defense-related needs such as the development of dual-use infrastructure.

NATO countries are considering a 2032 deadline for such a commitment, but Nauseda argues that this should be done within the next five years.

"We have very limited time to do the same. I think we should talk about three to five years", the Lithuanian president told reporters at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in central Vilnius.

"I hope we will be able to reach agreement regarding 5 percent of GDP, which is a reality in my country," Nauseda said. "There is no need to talk about very long timetables or transitional periods of 2035–2040. No, we have at most five years time take very solid and committed action."

The meeting is aimed at aligning regional positions ahead of NATO's summit in The Hague.

US President Donald Trump has for some time been urging allies to more than double their defense spending commitments – up to 5 percent of GDP.

NATO members are currently committed to spending 2 percent of GDP on defense, although not all of them have yet reached that target.

The Vilnius Summit aims to agree on a 5 percent of GDP defense target without further specifying or breaking down the commitment into sub-components.

So far, the Baltic countries and Poland have publicly announced plans to spend 5 percent of GDP or more on defense.

By Saulius Jakučionis

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All allies agreed on Ukraine's NATO membership – Rutte in Vilnius

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – All NATO member countries agreed on Ukraine's membership, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in Vilnius on Monday, adding that this cannot be seen as part of peace talks.

His comments came in response Russia's demand for NATO to stop its eastward expansion as a condition for peace.

"When it comes to Ukraine, in Washington, there was a clear commitment by all 32 allies that it is an irreversible path for Ukraine to come into NATO. Not with an end date, not understanding this as part of a peace settlement, but clearly as a longer term commitment by 32 allies, and we are building that bridge as we speak," he said.

By Augustas Stankevičius

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Makauskiene becomes head of IOM Lithuania

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS - Aurelija Makauskiene assumed the role of head of the Vilnius Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM Lithuania) on June 1, the organization said on Sunday.

Makauskiene is an experienced staff that has been working with IOM since 2009. Over the past six years, she has led European Migration Network in Lithuania unit, contributing significantly to its mission and operations.

From 2021 to 2024, the Vilnius Office was led by Eitvydas Bingelis, who now serves as Vice-Minister of Social Security and Labour.

"Lithuania is an important member of IOM, contributing significantly to a region facing numerous geopolitical issues. I am pleased that our team will continue to be led by highly qualified staff, ensuring continuity and readiness for new challenges," said Gianluca Rocco, director of the EEA+ Sub-Region. "Aurelija Makauskiene has long been a valued member of our organization, and I am confident that, with the strong support of her team, she will continue to advance IOM’s meaningful and impactful work in Lithuania."

IOM has been active in Lithuania since 1998. As an intergovernmental organization, IOM works with international partners to address contemporary migration challenges, provide expert guidance on migration policy, promote social and economic development, and ensure the well-being of all migrants. With a presence in more than 175 countries, IOM officially joined the United Nations system in 2016.

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NATO chief says members will need to spend more on defense, gives no specific figure

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS - NATO members will have to commit to spending more on defense at the upcoming meeting in The Hague, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says, without giving a specific figure.

"We are focusing on defense spending. (...) We know that Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran are working together, and Russia has been a long-time threat to NATO. Is it crucial that in The Hague, when it comes to spending and when it comes to industrial production, we take necessary decisions," the NATO chief said in Vilnius on Monday as he arrived to attend a summit of the leaders from NATO's eastern and Nordic member countries.

The proposal is to increase defense funding alone to 3.5 percent of GDP and to allocate a further 1.5 percent of GDP to defense-related needs such as the development of dual-use infrastructure.

Rutte did not specify what percentage of GDP NATO countries should commit to.

"This is something that we are discussing now among allies. I am not mentioning numbers now, but I can assure you that 2 percent, which we agreed on in 2014, is not nearly enough. (...) It will be considerably more than 2 percent," he said.

In addition to "hard" defense funding for military needs, the Vilnius meeting will also discuss defense-related spending, such as funding for military mobility and defense industry, according to the NATO chief.

As BNS reported earlier, the Vilnius meeting is aimed at aligning regional positions ahead of NATO's summit in The Hague.

US President Donald Trump has for some time been urging allies to more than double their defense spending commitments up to 5 percent of GDP.

NATO members are currently committed to spending 2 percent of GDP on defense, although not all of them have yet reached that target.

The Vilnius Summit aims to agree on a 5 percent of GDP defense target without further specifying or breaking down the commitment into sub-components.

So far, the Baltic countries and Poland have publicly announced plans to spend 5 percent of GDP or more on defense.

By Vilmantas Venckūnas

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Zelensky on peace talks after Russia drone attack: you'll see everything

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has refrained to comment on the impact Kyiv's recent massive drone attack on Russian air bases may have on peace talks with the Kremlin.

"You'll see everything," Zelensky told reporters in Vilnius when asked about the potential impact of this attack on peace talks in Istanbul, set to take place later on Monday.

Zelensky is attending a meeting of the leaders of NATO's eastern and northern member countries.

Russian and Ukrainian officials are due to hold a second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday to exchange plans on how to Moscow's invasion that's been taking place for more than three years.

The talks will take place a day after Ukraine launched a large-scale attack on Russian military aircraft on Sunday, striking several bases thousands of kilometers from the border.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Sunday evening that the estimated damage stood at 7 billion US dollar (6.17 billion euros).

Zelensky said earlier that Ukraine had used 117 drones in the mass attack.

By Karolina Ambrazaitytė

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All allies agreed on Ukraine's NATO membership – Rutte in Vilnius (expands)

Updated version: updates throughout

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – All NATO member countries agreed on Ukraine's membership, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in Vilnius on Monday, adding that this cannot be seen as part of peace talks.

His comments came in response Russia's demand for NATO to stop its eastward expansion as a condition for peace.

The NATO chief is attending a summit of the leaders from NATO's eastern and Nordic member countries in Vilnius, held to align regional positions ahead of NATO's summit in The Hague and to also discuss further assistance to Kyiv.

Ukraine will be talked about not only in Vilnius but also in The Hague, Rutte underlined.

"We'll make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to stay in the fight, to be able to bring this terrible Russian war of aggression against Ukraine to an end," he said.

In his recent interview with ABC News on Thursday, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Keith Kellogg said that NATO's eastward expansion was an understandable concern for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As one of the conditions for ending the large-scale war against Ukraine, Putin wants a written pledge from NATO not to accept any more Eastern European members, which would mean that the alliance would not be able to accept Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other countries in the future, Reuters reported earlier this week.

Moscow claims that Ukraine's desire to join NATO is one of the main reasons for the Russian invasion.

Russia's aggression towards Ukraine began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and the war in the Donbas region, although at the time Kyiv had no real prospects of joining NATO in the near future.

Trump has repeatedly echoed Moscow's narrative that Ukraine's efforts to join NATO were one of the main reasons for the large-scale invasion.

Ukraine applied to join NATO in September 2022, a few months after the start of Russia's large-scale invasion. The country has not received a formal invitation as the 32 NATO member countries are struggling to reach a consensus on the issue.

By Augustas Stankevičius, Vilmantas Venckūnas

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Lithuanian-American actress Lee receives award from Lithuanian Foreign Ministry

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Lithuanian-American actress Ruta Lee has received an award from Lithuania's Foreign Ministry for the services of world Lithuanians to Lithuania.

The award was presented to the actress, who celebrated her 90th birthday last week, by the Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Sandra Brikaite, and the Honorary Consul General of Lithuania, Daiva Navarette.

According to the ministry, the award was given to Lee for her extraordinary lifetime achievements in fostering Lithuanian identity abroad, promoting the involvement of Lithuanians living abroad in Lithuanian life, and creating prosperity in Lithuania.

"For us, Lithuanians, Ruta is not only a famous Hollywood actress, she is one of us. Canadian-born Lee speaks excellent Lithuanian and has been proud of her Lithuanian roots all her life. She has never forgotten that she is Lithuanian, actively fought for Lithuanian independence during the occupation, later campaigned during the referendum on multiple citizenship, and is a respected member and supporter of the Lithuanian community in Los Angeles and the USA," Brikaite said.

Lee (Ruta Mary Kilmonis) was born in Canada to a family of Lithuanian emigrants and has lived in the US since 1948. She is one of the best known Lithuanians in Hollywood and the US film industry, a world-famous film and television actress and TV show host, and has been honored on the Hollywood and Palm Springs Walks of Fame.

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NATO chief says members will need to spend more on defense, gives no specific figure (further expands)

Updated version: updates throughout

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS - NATO members will have to commit to spending more on defense at the upcoming meeting in The Hague, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says, without giving a specific figure.

No specific number

The proposal is to increase defense funding alone to 3.5 percent of GDP and to allocate a further 1.5 percent of GDP to defense-related needs such as the development of dual-use infrastructure.

Rutte did not specify what percentage of GDP NATO countries should commit to.

As BNS reported earlier, the Vilnius meeting is aimed at aligning regional positions ahead of NATO's summit in The Hague.

According to Rutte, NATO defense ministers will meet later this week in Brussels to discuss the need for new capabilities, which is directly linked to the approved defense plans.

"To do that, it is clear that allies need to spend much, much, much more than we are doing now," the NATO chief said, adding that The Hague Summit will send two key messages.

"When we look at the key messages, I think it is this: spending more and producing more. (...) I'm confident that with your support, we will make NATO a stronger, fairer, and more lethal alliance to keep us safe for decades to come," Rutte said, addressing leaders in Vilnius.

Allied backing

Leaders in Vilnius have expressed their support for plans to increase defense funding.

"I hope that in The Hague we will agree that we have to spend 3.5 percent directly on military needs and a further 1.5 percent on deterrence in a broader sense," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters in Vilnius.

Although discussions that this commitment could be achieved by 2032 are ongoing, the Danish leader says allies should spend more on defense earlier.

"If you ask me, it will be too late (in 2032 - BNS)," Frederiksen said.

Her view is echoed by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini. In his words, Bratislava supports the bid to increase defense funding through the 3.5-1.5 percent of GDP formula, but, he added, allied members will need to discuss the pace and possible flexibility to achieve this commitment.

"We have an important meeting in The Hague (...) I think this is a critical moment when we see a new geopolitical situation in the world, and it is critical that Europe should take on a greater share of its own security commitments," Pellegrini said.

US President Donald Trump has for some time been urging allies to more than double their defense spending commitments up to 5 percent of GDP.

NATO members are currently committed to spending 2 percent of GDP on defense, although not all of them have yet reached that target.

The Vilnius Summit aims to agree on a 5 percent of GDP defense target without further specifying or breaking down the commitment into sub-components.

So far, the Baltic countries and Poland have publicly announced plans to spend 5 percent of GDP or more on defense.

By Vilmantas Venckūnas

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Zelensky on peace talks after Russia drone attack: 'You'll see everything' (expands)

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday declined to comment on the impact Kyiv's recent massive drone attack on Russian air bases might have on peace talks with the Kremlin.

"You'll see everything," Zelensky told reporters in Vilnius when asked about the potential impact of the attack on peace talks in Istanbul, set to take place later on Monday.

The Ukrainian president is in Vilnius for a summit of leaders from NATO's eastern and northern member countries.

No positive steps from Russia expected

Russian and Ukrainian officials are expected to hold a second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday to exchange their plans for how to end Moscow's invasion, now in its fourth year.

The talks come a day after Ukraine launched a massive drone assault on Russian military aircraft, hitting several air bases thousands of kilometers from the border.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Sunday evening that the estimated damage stood at 7 billion US dollars (6.17 billion euros).

Zelensky said earlier that Ukraine had used 117 drones in the operation.

"We have to demonstrate that every country is ready to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the president said.

"And Ukraine, I think, is a very strong example for everybody and that's why we need the support of our European partners and American partners, because now to strengthen Ukraine means to strengthen the front line of Europe," he added.

Zelensky said he did not think the Russian delegation in Istanbul would be "ready for some productive meetings."

"For us, (what is) very important is a ceasefire – unconditional, of course – and humanitarian issues, such as bringing back abducted children and, of course, the exchange of warriors, as well as doing everything possible for other prisoners: civilian prisoners, journalists and political prisoners," he said.

Need for tougher sanctions

The Ukrainian president said that if the second round of talks fails to yield results, new and tougher sanctions against Russia's energy and financial sectors would be needed.

"If the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, that clearly means strong new sanctions are urgently needed from the EU's 18th package and from the US, specifically, the strongest sanctions President (Donald) Trump promised," Zelensky told other leaders at the summit in Vilnius.

"Sanctions should hit Russian energy, especially oil, and tankers, price caps, of course, and also Russian banks and the financial sector overall," he said.

Following Trump's remarks on sanctions, US lawmakers have also stepped up calls for sanctions.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley said on X that it was "time for sanctions" that were strong enough for Putin to know it was "game over."

Two other senators, Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, also called for heavy "secondary" sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil, gas and raw materials.

The EU adopted its 17th sanctions package against Moscow in May, but some member states are already pushing for an 18th round.

Allies urged to watch Belarus

In Vilnius, Zelensky thanked allies for their support so far and expressed hope for continued cooperation.

"Ukraine can cover up to 40 percent of its weapons needs with domestic production, but this requires stable funding. Our operations show how much impact investments, especially in drones, can have," the president said.

"And we still urgently need air defense, especially Patriot systems and the missiles for them," he added.

Zelensky also called on allies to seek intelligence on Belarus' plans during Zapad, a large-scale joint military exercise with Russia.

"Ask your intelligence what Russia is planning this summer in Belarus. If they are bold enough to prepare attacks from there, then we need more strength together," he said.

Held every two years since 2009, the Zapad exercise is scheduled for September.

The officially stated objectives are to practice joint defensive and offensive operations, improve cooperation between the armed forces and test troops' readiness for various security scenarios.

However, the drills always raise concerns among officials in neighboring countries about the risk of unintentional incidents.

No Zapad exercise took place in 2023.

British intelligence has cited Russia's shortage of troops and equipment, as well as the Kremlin's unwillingness to face criticism for holding yet another show of force during the war in Ukraine, as likely reasons for the cancellation.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has said that Tarassis 25 – a Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) exercise scheduled to run at the same time as Zapad – will be the largest since the multinational force was established.

This fall, the Lithuanian Armed Forces' combat units will also take part in the Thunder Strike exercise, which will include tactical maneuvers across various locations and military training areas, in line with the country's national defense plan.

By Karolina Ambrazaitytė

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Duda says he'll encourage Nawrocki to strengthen Poland's ties with Lithuania

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Poland's outgoing President Andrzej Duda said in Vilnius on Monday that he will encourage President-elect Karol Nawrocki to strengthen the country's ties with Lithuania.

"I hope so," Duda, in Vilnius for a summit of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic leaders, told reporters when asked if relations between the two neighboring countries will remain good after Nawrocki's victory in Sunday's presidential run-off

"I assure you that I will talk with him about it, and I will suggest strengthening these relations," he added.

Nawrocki narrowly defeated his opponent, liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, with 50.89 percent of the vote to Trzaskowski's 49.11 percent.

During the campaign, the 42-year-old conservative historian positioned himself as a defender of traditional Polish values, skeptical of the EU and aligned with US conservatives, including President Donald Trump.

He will succeed Duda when the latter's second five-year term ends on August 6.

The outgoing president and the main right-wing opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS), backed Nawrocki during the campaign.

By Karolina Ambrazaitytė, Vilmantas Venckūnas

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Lithuanian president to deliver his State of Nation Address on Thursday

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda will deliver his annual State of the Nation Address to the Seimas on Thursday, the Office of the Seimas said on Monday.

It will be Nauseda's first annual address during his second presidential term and his sixth overall.

Under the Lithuanian Constitution, the presidents delivers annual overview of the country's situation and talks on Lithuania's domestic and foreign policy.

In Lithuania, presidents traditionally deliver their annual addresses during the parliament's spring session.

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Bucharest Nine, Nordic leaders, in Vilnius, pledge to work toward 5 pct of GDP on defense

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Leaders of the Bucharest Nine and the Nordic countries, meeting in Vilnius on Monday, pledged to work toward gradually raising their defense spending to at least 5 percent of gross domestic product.

Their joint statement was signed by the co-chairs of the Vilnius summit – Presidents Gitanas Nauseda of Lithuania, Andrzej Duda of Poland and Nicusor Dan of Romania.

"We are moving towards reaching at least 5 percent of GDP on defense and defense-related investments to match security threats and challenges," the statement reads.

"We call on all Allies to urgently invest more, individually and collectively, to ensure fully resourced plans and credible capabilities to prepare for, deter and defend."

With the United States pushing its allies to spend 5 percent of GDP on defense, diplomats say NATO countries will aim to agree on such a commitment at the Hague summit later in June by splitting it into two components.

The proposal includes a 3.5 percent target for "hard" defense spending and an extra 1.5 percent for defense-related needs, such as developing dual-use infrastructure.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in Vilnius earlier on Monday that the Allies would have to commit to higher defense spending but did not name a specific percentage.

Support for Ukraine reaffirmed

Defense spending and support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression were the two main topics at the gathering of NATO's eastern and northern allies.

"We met today at a pivotal moment when the security environment continues to deteriorate as Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine claims lives, causes civilian suffering and violates international norms and agreements," the leaders said in the statement.

"Russia remains the most significant, long term, and direct threat to Euro-Atlantic security and NATO must further adapt its approach towards Russia. The Alliance must be prepared for all possible contingencies."

"Together, we assessed preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague, including our firm commitment to significantly increased defense spending and enhanced defense industrial capacity against the backdrop of Russia's threat to Euro-Atlantic security and its ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine."

The leaders also agreed to "accelerate efforts in boosting the Trans-Atlantic defense industry – expanded and faster production, smarter procurement, and more multinational projects."

"We encourage maximizing the full potential of and further strengthening NATO-EU cooperation, in particular on delivering military capabilities and military mobility for European security while removing regulatory barriers. This cooperation should remain inclusive and allow for participation of non-EU Allies," the statement reads.

The document also stresses that "the security of Ukraine is integral part of the security of the Euro-Atlantic region."

'Russia has showed no genuine interest in peace'

The leaders reaffirmed support for the United States' engagement in peace efforts and welcomed the Coalition of the Willing peace and security efforts initiated by the United Kingdom and France, saying that they "remain committed to contribute."

"We commend Ukraine for its determination to engage in a peace process. So far, Russia has showed no genuine interest in peace," the statement reads.

The leaders also said the Hague summit "must demonstrate NATO's continued support and commitment to Ukraine."

"We stand firm on Allied decision and commitment regarding Ukraine's irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. Ukraine has the right to choose its own security arrangements and to decide its own future, free from outside interference," they said.

Rutte said in Vilnius that all NATO members agree on Ukraine's eventual membership and this cannot be part of any peace negotiations. He added that Ukraine will be a key topic not only in Vilnius but also in The Hague.

Russia's aggression against Ukraine began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, at a time when Kyiv had no realistic prospects of joining NATO in the near future.

Ukraine formally applied for NATO membership in September 2022, several months after the full-scale Russian invasion. It has not yet received an official invitation as the Alliance's 32 members have struggled to reach consensus on the issue.

'Constraining Russia'

The leaders also agreed to intensify efforts "in constraining Russia," primarily by stepping up pressure through EU sanctions.

They also said they "stand ready to adopt" new sanctions.

"We will work continuously to ensure Russia's international accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine as well as the war crimes and all atrocities. Russia's assets should remain immobilized until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates it for the damage caused by this war," the statement reads.

The leaders also condemned support for Russia from North Korea, Iran and China.

They denounced Russia's "intensifying and highly confrontational actions against Europe," including sabotage, disinformation, cyberattacks, instrumentalization of migration, information manipulation, election interference, the use of a so-called "shadow fleet", and airspace violations.

"Russia seeks to destabilize our security, aims at disrupting support to Ukraine and undermining our societies. These malign efforts will not prevail," they said.

The statement also commends Moldova "for its efforts to maintain stability and advance reforms on its European path."

The countries also agreed to "continue to strive for more strategic, more coherent and more effective partnerships, in particular with the European Union, as well as with partners in our neighborhood, in the Indo-Pacific and in the South."

The next Bucharest Nine summit will be held in Romania next year.

By Augustas Stankevičius, Vilmantas Venckūnas

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Baltic Pride 2025 festival kicks off in Vilnius

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Baltic Pride 2025 festival kicks off in Vilnius on Monday under the slogan “Free to Be (Yourself)“.

Taking place for the sixth time, the festival will last for a week.

"I think our festival is the biggest in the Baltic states," Vladimir Simonko, head of the Lithuanian Gay League, said during the presentation of the event program.

Around 20,000 people are expected to attend the festival's main event, the march, Simonko said, adding that the festival continues to grow every year.

"We understand that our community has its limits, it is what it is, but families, as well as schools, companies are joining our community, (...) companies really want to join us, to be in solidarity (...), and that's why I think that we can expect 20,000," the LGL leader said.

The March for Equality! is planned in the afternoon on June 7.

"My team and I personally promise we'll have enough sound for everyone. And this sound will spread love over hate. I think people who will come will feel the power of love and this is our biggest statement against those who may still be on the road to equality," Simonko said.

The march will be followed by a concert near the White Bridge.

Vilnius remains a beacon of freedom in the region, Ieva Dirmaite, chair of the Human Rights Commission at Vilnius City Municipality, says, adding that that Baltic Pride is "much more than just an event, more than just a march".

Baltic Pride 2025 will take place after Lithuania's Constitutional Court gave the green light to register gender-neutral partnerships in mid-April.

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas is also expected to take part in the march.

By Paulius Perminas

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New prisoner exchange planned after latest round of peace talks – Zelensky

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that a new prisoner exchange with Russia is being planned following the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul.

"The talks in Istanbul have just ended. We are preparing a new release of prisoners of war," the Ukrainian leader told reporters in Vilnius.

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New prisoner exchange planned after latest round of peace talks – Zelensky (expands)

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Russia and Ukraine are planning a new prisoner exchange following the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday.

"The talks in Istanbul have just ended," he told reporters in Vilnius. "We are preparing a new release of prisoners of the war."

According to Zelensky, if Russia turns the meeting in Istanbul into "empty talk," fresh pressure and new sanctions targeting the Kremlin's oil trade will be needed.

"We need to work on joint sanctions at the G7 level, including with the United States and with everyone in the world who wants peace. It's very, very important that each of our partners supports this exact approach," the Ukrainian leader said.

"Sanctions, including secondary ones, tariffs and price caps, can work and push Russia toward peace. Without pressure, Putin will just keep playing games with everyone who wants this war to end," he added.

By Augustas Stankevičius, Paulius Perminas

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No sign of US troop withdrawal from NATO's eastern flank

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – There are no signs that the United States is going to withdraw its troops from NATO's eastern flank, the leaders of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic countries said after their meeting in Vilnius on Monday.

"I've had a few opportunities to talk with President Trump during the last six-seven months. I have also talked with his secretaries, especially Secretary Hegseth. And I have no information about any ideas about withdrawing US Army forces from the eastern flank," Polish President Andrzej Duda told a press conference in Vilnius.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says he has received two questions from European allies since January, and one of them is whether the US is still committed to NATO.

"The answer is yes, committed to NATO, committed to Article 5. (…) The second question is whether they will withdraw troops all of a sudden? (...) There are absolutely no indications of this," Rutte underlined.

Lithuania is one of NATO's eastern flank countries where the Americans deploy their forces.

US troops have been rotating intermittently in Lithuania since the spring of 2014, and US heavy battalions have been deployed in the country since 2019.

Currently, about 1,000 American troops are serving in Lithuania.

"I don't want to base my assumptions on rumors. I would trust official information about the possible reduction of United States presence in Europe," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said. "We are highly interested that the United States' focus on Europe remains because it is a very important element of our collective security. I hope that The Hague Summit brings very positive news to this field."

In April, NBC reported that the Pentagon was considering withdrawing around 10,000 troops from Eastern Europe. Sources told NBC at the time that troops could be withdrawn from Poland and Romania.

Nauseda then urged people to ignore media reports and rely on official information. The lack of signals on the withdrawal of troops was also mentioned by the Lithuanian foreign and defense ministers.

By Vilmantas Venckūnas

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New prisoner exchange planned after latest round of peace talks – Zelensky (further expands)

Updated version: updates throughout

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – Russia and Ukraine are planning a new prisoner exchange following the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday.

"The talks in Istanbul have just ended," he told reporters in Vilnius. "We are preparing a new release of prisoners of the war."

The second round of direct talks between Ukraine and Russia took place in Istanbul on Monday, and the Ukrainians handed Kremlin officials a list of children illegally deported from Ukraine by Moscow since the start of the large-scale invasion and demanded their return.

According to Zelensky, if Russia turns the meeting in Istanbul into "empty talk," fresh pressure and new sanctions targeting the Kremlin's oil trade will be needed.

The US administration has also hinted at tightening sanctions. For its part, the European Union adopted its 17th package of sanctions against the Kremlin in May, but some EU members are already calling for the adoption of the 18th package.

“The aggressor must not receive any reward”

The Ukrainian president also briefed the Bucharest Nine and Nordic leaders in Vilnius on the situation on the front line.

"The key to lasting peace is clear, the aggressor must not receive any reward for war. Putin must get nothing that would justify his aggression. Any reward would only show him that war pays off," Zelensky underlined.

He also said he talked about Kyiv's drone attack over the weekend with the politicians gathered in Vilnius today, saying that the Operation Spider Web showed what modern war really looks like and why it's so important to stay ahead with technology.

Ukraine launched a large-scale attack against Russian military aircraft on Sunday, hitting several bases in the country, situated thousands of kilometers from the border with Ukraine. Drones reportedly hit 41 aircraft at several airfields.

"All our joint investments in drone production, all our shared battlefield experience, everything we are doing together with our partners, it's making Europe stronger," Zelensky said.

In his words, Monday's meeting also agreed on a number of joint decisions that will further strengthen Ukraine's defense.

"There will be new packages, there will be new investments in Ukrainian weapons production, especially drones. Ukraine can produce much more and we see partner investments as a way to give those partners priority access to restock their arsenals after this war," the Ukrainian leader underlined.

By Augustas Stankevičius, Paulius Perminas

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Upcoming events in Lithuania for Tuesday, June 3, 2025

VILNIUS, Jun 03, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Tuesday, June 3, 2025:

PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Palanga at 1.20 p.m., followed by their joint press conference.

SPEAKER OF THE SEIMAS Saulius Skvernelis to pay a working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

FOREIGN MINISTER Kestutis Budrys attending an OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris.

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NATO's Hague Summit must send message on defense funding, Ukraine support – Nauseda

VILNIUS, Jun 03, BNS - NATO must agree on increased defense funding and send a message on support for Ukraine at its forthcoming NATO summit in The Hague, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said after a meeting of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic leaders in Vilnius on Monday.

"At The Hague Summit, we expect a message of transatlantic unity, reaffirmation of our commitment to collective defense, and readiness to defend allied territory. We also believe that allies will be ready to substantially increase defense investment," the Lithuanian leader told a press conference in Vilnius today.

"The Hague Summit must also send a clear message that NATO stands with Ukraine. We must show that NATO stands with Ukraine through continued support for its forces and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations," he added.

For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the upcoming meeting in The Hague would be the perfect opportunity to send a clear message to Russia.

"The upcoming NATO summit can strengthen Europe's security, or if it sends the wrong signal, it will only encourage Putin," Zelensky said." The key to lasting peace is clear, the aggressor must not receive any reward for war. Putin must get nothing that would justify his aggression. Any reward would only show him that war pays off."

"If Putin is allowed to decide who joins NATO, where NATO infrastructure can or can't be, then Russia's appetite for war will only grow," the Ukrainian leader said.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed that Lithuania continues to set an example to its allies by raising defense funding to 5-6 percent of GDP and "sends an incredibly powerful message of commitment to our collective defense".

He also reaffirmed the Alliance's support for Ukraine.

"Today, we also discussed Ukraine, a key priority for the summit in The Hague. Dear Volodymyr, we continue to support Ukraine. We know that a strong, sovereign Ukraine is essential for Euro-Atlantic security," Rutte said.

For his part, Polish President Andrzej Duda recalled that even before the last NATO summit in Washington, he had proposed to increase the Alliance's defense spending to 3 percent of GDP. Today, he welcomed the agreement by the participants of the Vilnius Summit to increase this spending even further to 5 percent of GDP.

"We hope that allies will follow into our footsteps," he said.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that strong funding must be secured to keep NATO the strongest military alliance.

"We need to invest massively in our collective security, all of us. And we need to do it fast. NATO is by far the strongest military alliance in history. And so, our starting point must be to focus on what is needed to continue to be so," she said.

On Ukraine, she said that the West's key task right now is to put Ukraine in the strongest possible situation and position on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.

For his part, Romanian leader Nicusor Danas stressed the importance of not only increasing defense spending but also ensuring supplies of necessary military equipment.

"We have to not only increase our expenses in defense, but also to be able to produce military equipment in order to protect ourselves. And also, as I said, the threat is not only classical military, but we have very important hybrid actions against our countries," he said.

In their joint statement after the Vilnius Summit, NATO's eastern and northern member countries pledged to work toward gradually raising their defense spending to at least 5 percent of gross domestic product.

The proposal includes a 3.5 percent target for "hard" defense spending and an extra 1.5 percent for defense-related needs, such as developing dual-use infrastructure.

The Hague Summit will take place on June 24-25.

By Karolina Ambrazaitytė, Vilmantas Venckūnas

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NATO jets in Baltics scrambled 12 times over Russian aircraft last week

VILNIUS, Jun 02, BNS – NATO fighter jets policing Baltic airspace were scrambled 12 times last week to intercept Russian aircraft flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea in violation of flight rules, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

They all were flying with their onboard transponders off, without flight plans and were not in contact with the regional traffic control center.

The NATO Baltic air policing mission is carried out from Lithuania and Estonia.

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Jul 24 2025

LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

IN THIS ISSUE:

Upcoming events in Lithuania for Friday, May 30, 2025
Lithuania turns away 8 irregular migrants on border with Belarus
Lithuania hands over probe into US troops' deaths to American authorities – defense chief
Lithuanian PM to discuss defense, infrastructure with Latvian, Estonian counterparts
EU's Kubilius to meet Lithuanian president, defense industry leaders, visit training area
Strike at Helsinki airport unlikely to affect Finnair flights to Vilnius – operator
Lithuanian PM hopes cooperation with South Korea will grow into strategic partnership
Ukraine, Russia stuck in pseudo-negotiations, very little is actually happening – advisor
Vilnius mulls commemorative plaque with Merz's quote on Lithuania's security
EBRD Vice President Matteo Patrone to visit Lithuania
Alternatives to EU funding for Rail Baltica being sought – Lithuanian PM
Lithuanian PM in Riga urges tougher sanctions on Russia, path for Ukraine into NATO, EU
Lithuanian foreign minister invites Spain to contribute to rotational air defense model
Lithuanian FM expects no tangible results from upcoming Russia, Ukraine talks
It's not for Russia to decide who joins NATO – Lithuanian FM
Lithuanian PM continues to deny involvement in co-owned companies' management, operation

Upcoming events in Lithuania for Friday, May 30, 2025

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Friday, May 30, 2025:

PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to meet with Woo Won-shik, the speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea, at 1 p.m.; to meet with European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius at2 p.m.

PRIME MINISTER Gintautas Paluckas to attend a working session on regional security and defense at the Latvian National Museum of History at 10.30 a.m.; to attend a working session on regional infrastructure projects at 1.45 a.m.; to hold a joint press conference with the Latvian and Estonian prime ministers at 1 p.m.; to attend a working lunch at the invitation of the Latvian prime ministers at 1.45 p.m.

DEFENSE MINISTER Dovile Sakaliene to pay a visit to Singapore.

Defence Vice Minister Tomas Godliauskas, European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius and high-level representatives of the Baltic and Polish defense ministries and militaries to visit the counter-mobility park at the Rudninkai military training area, at 5.15 p.m., followed by a press conference at 5.30 p.m.

FOREIGN MINISTER Kestutis Budrys is on a visit to Spain.

EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR DEFENSE AND SPACE Andrius Kubilius to attend a discussion on the EU's White Paper on defense at the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center at 9.15 a.m.; to give a speech on innovation in Europe's defense sector at LOGIN 2025 at 11 a.m.

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Lithuania turns away 8 irregular migrants on border with Belarus

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – Lithuanian border guards have turned away eight migrants attempting to cross into the country from Belarus illegally over the past 24 hours, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) said on Friday morning.

Latvia reported 81 illegal border crossing attempts on Thursday. Poland denied entry to 172 irregular migrants on Wednesday, according to the latest available information.

Lithuania has barred almost 800 irregular migrants from entering from Belarus at non-designated places so far this year, after turning away 1,002 in 2024

The influx of irregular migrants into the EU's eastern member states from Belarus began in 2021 and is blamed by the West on the Minsk regime.

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Lithuania hands over probe into US troops' deaths to American authorities – defense chief

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – Lithuania has handed over the investigation into the deaths of US soldiers at the Pabrade military training area to American authorities, Chief of Defense Raimundas Vaiksnoras said.

"The investigation has been turned over to the Americans; it falls under their jurisdiction," Vaiksnoras told BNS in an interview.

"We did everything within our scope. Autopsies confirmed the cause of death was drowning, so there would be no confusion later. After that, we passed the investigation into the circumstances of the incident to the Americans. I can't say anything about what happens next, because I honestly don't know," the general said.

"If the Americans want to make the information public, they can do so. If they choose not to, they won't – we have no influence over that," he added.

The four US soldiers went missing at the training area in eastern Lithuania on March 25 while operating an M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle.

The search and rescue operation lasted a week and involved Lithuanian, US, Polish and Estonian military personnel, as well as police and civilians.

The vehicle was pulled from a swamp on March 31 with the bodies of three soldiers inside. The fourth drowned soldier was found the next day.

After the recovery, prosecutors announced they had launched a pre-trial investigation into the soldiers' deaths.

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Lithuanian PM to discuss defense, infrastructure with Latvian, Estonian counterparts

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas will meet with his Latvian and Estonian counterparts, Evika Silina and Kristen Michal, in Riga on Friday to discuss regional security, defense and the implementation of joint infrastructure projects.

The meeting will take place in the format of the Baltic Council of Ministers, according to the Lithuanian government.

Latvia holds the council's rotating presidency this year.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Baltic states have been stepping up efforts to boost defense spending.

Lithuania plans to allocate an additional 12-13 billion euros for defense by 2030, which would raise its military spending to between 5 and 6 percent of GDP.

Silina has said Latvia's defense budget could reach 4 percent of GDP this year, while Michal has said Estonia will raise its defense spending to at least 5 percent of GDP next year.

The three countries are jointly developing the Baltic Defense Line, a system of counter-mobility measures along NATO's eastern flank to reinforce the Alliance's borders with Russia and Belarus.

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EU's Kubilius to meet Lithuanian president, defense industry leaders, visit training area

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius is visiting Lithuania on Friday to meet with President Gitanas Nauseda and members of the space technology cluster.

As part of his official program, the commissioner will visit the Rudninkai military training area and the companies Kongsberg NanoAvionics and RSI Europe, according to the European Commission Representation in Lithuania.

Discussions will focus on the White Paper on the future of European defense, strengthening the defense industry's capabilities through soft loans under the 150-billion-euro SAFE defense loan facility approved on Tuesday, and streamlining defense industry regulations.

Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has said that Lithuania wants to borrow up to 7 billion euros under SAFE.

Kubilius has said that Vilnius will be able to borrow "substantial sums" on favorable terms through the facility.

The commissioner is also scheduled to visit the engineering equipment park at the Rudninkai military training area and meet with Baltic and Polish officials to discuss the defense of the EU's eastern border, the Baltic Defense Line and Eastern Shield initiatives, as well as the bloc's financial instruments available for their implementation.

As part of his visit to Lithuania, Kubilius will also deliver a speech at the innovation conference LOGIN 2025 and take part in a discussion on the White Paper for European Defense – Readiness 2030, hosted by the Center for Geopolitical and Security Studies.

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Strike at Helsinki airport unlikely to affect Finnair flights to Vilnius – operator

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – Finnair's cancellation of more than 100 flights on Friday is unlikely to affect services between Vilnius and Helsinki, according to Lietuvos Oro Uostai (Lithuanian Airports, LTOU).

"All flights scheduled for today between Vilnius and Helsinki are expected to operate as planned. We have no information about any cancellations," LTOU spokesman Tadas Vasiliauskas told BNS.

According to the Vilnius Airport flight schedule, a Finnair plane from Helsinki landed at 9 a.m., with three more arrivals expected at 1 p.m., 5:40 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.

Departures from Vilnius to Helsinki are scheduled for 9:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6:10 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.

Finnair announced earlier this week that it would cancel around 110 flights on May 30 due to a planned strike by workers at Helsinki Airport, amid an ongoing pay dispute with the IAU aviation workers' union. The airline said the walkout could disrupt travel plans for around 8,000 passengers.

Further strikes are planned for next Monday and Wednesday.

A four-day strike at Helsinki Airport earlier this month forced Finnair to cancel around 410 flights, affecting some 39,500 passengers.

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Lithuanian PM hopes cooperation with South Korea will grow into strategic partnership

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – After discussing bilateral cooperation with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik in Vilnius on Thursday, Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas expressed hope that the relationship between the two countries will develop into a strategic partnership.

The meeting highlighted the "dynamic" growth of economic relations between the two countries and their willingness to further strengthen cooperation in bilateral trade, financial and information technologies, defense and other areas, the government said in a press release.

"The Republic of Korea is a very important partner for us in the Indo-Pacific region. We are ready to develop dialogue between our countries and deepen cooperation, especially in defense, security, economic and trade," the prime minister was quoted as saying in the press release.

"I believe this cooperation will grow into a strategic partnership between our countries," he added.

Paluckas and Woo Won-shik noted during the meeting that Lithuania's embassy in Korea and the Korean embassy in Vilnius will help deepen collaboration across all fields and further solidify nearly 35 years of diplomatic relations.

Both sides said they expect to boost people-to-people ties and promote academic exchanges, which will, in turn, support a lasting partnership, according to the press release.

The officials also welcomed the growing popularity of South Korean culture and language among young Lithuanians and noted that Lithuanian culture is gaining recognition in Korea. Recently, a concert celebrating the 150th anniversary of Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis was held in Korea, featuring his music.

"The discussion also touched on the similar historical challenges and the resilience of our peoples, which have helped nurture democratic values. Woo Won-shik thanked Lithuanians for the inspiration his country drew from events that demonstrated national unity, such as the Baltic Way," the government said.

This marks the third visit by a speaker of the South Korean parliament to Lithuania since the two countries established diplomatic relations. Previous visits took place in 2011 and 2019.

The Lithuanian parliament has a group for interparliamentary relations with the Republic of Korea. South Korea also has a parliamentary friendship group with Lithuania.

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Ukraine, Russia stuck in pseudo-negotiations, very little is actually happening – advisor

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – There's very little real action between Russia and Ukraine when it comes to peace negotiations despite a large number of related reports ahead of possible second direct talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul next week, Asta Skaisgiryte, an adviser to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, says.

"They (the talks - BNS) are at a pseudo-negotiation point, if I may say so. There is a lot of talking, a lot of reports, but there is very little real action. What we have seen so far is a meeting in Istanbul, the result of which is very modest, an exchange of prisoners", the foreign policy advisor told the public radio LRT on Friday.

On Wednesday, Russia proposed to hold a new round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next week, on Monday, to present its plan for a peace deal, but Kyiv said he needed to see the proposal in advance if the meeting was to produce results.

The first direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in three years took place in Istanbul on May 16 when Moscow and Kyiv agreed on swapping 1,000 Russian prisoners for 1,000 Ukrainians.

"Prisoner exchanges took place before the Istanbul meeting, on more than one occasion. Well, maybe the number of prisoners this time is higher than before, but it is, well, if I may say so, a common practice. No other negotiating momentum was achieved in Istanbul," Skaisgiryte pointed out.

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Vilnius mulls commemorative plaque with Merz's quote on Lithuania's security

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas is proposing to install a commemorative plaque in the capital featuring a quote from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Lithuania's security.

In his speech at the inauguration of the German brigade in Vilnius earlier in May, Merz said, "Lithuania's security is also our security. The protection of Vilnius is the protection of Berlin."

"These words by the German chancellor will go down in the history of Lithuania and Europe. They highlight unity, responsibility and solidarity based on values. They will always remind us and our allies that freedom and security are a shared commitment and that Lithuania has reliable allies," Benkunskas said in a press release on Friday.

"In these geopolitically turbulent times, Germany's decision to relocate a brigade to Lithuania for a permanent presence is of enormous significance and deserves an additional mark in the city's memory," he added.

The mayor suggests that the plaque could be installed in the area of Vokieciu Street (German Street), possibly on the wall of the Town Hall facing the street, though the exact location is still up for discussion.

The Vilnius Commission on Historical Memory will consider the proposal.

According to the municipality, Vilnius already has a precedent for honoring statements of support from allied leaders: a plaque unveiled on the Town Hall in 2002 features a quote from the then-US President George W. Bush: "Anyone who would choose Lithuania as an enemy has also made an enemy of the United States."

The municipality also noted that Vokieciu Street is set to undergo upgrades in the coming years under a 5.88-million-euro contract signed with the company KRS earlier this month.

The work is scheduled to begin in mid-summer, with upgrades including new paving and improved public spaces. The project will be carried out in stages, starting at the intersection of Vokieciu and Dominikonu streets, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Vilnius and Berlin have been actively cooperating in defense since 2017, when Germany took the lead of NATO's multinational battalion stationed in Lithuania.

Earlier this month, Germany officially inaugurated its 45th Armored Brigade Lithuania. Around 5,000 German troops are expected to be deployed in Lithuania by 2027.

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EBRD Vice President Matteo Patrone to visit Lithuania

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS - Matteo Patrone, vice president, banking at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, will visit Lithuania and the other Baltic countries next week.

This will be his first visit to the Baltic states in his capacity, the EBRD said on Friday.

According to Patrone, the EBRD is ready to continue investing here, supporting the region's energy security and private sector growth.

Patrone is scheduled to meet with Finance Minister Rimantas Sadzius and representatives of the private sector in Vilnius on Monday. With representatives of the Vilnius authorities, e will discuss how the EBRD can further support the city's development.

Lateron, Patrone will visit Riga and Tallinn.

In late March, Sadzius said that although the EBRD's specific mandate does not allow it to contribute directly to the financing of defense projects, the bank's investment in the private sector is a major contributor to the country's resilience, green transformation and energy independence.

At the time, Sadzius met with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso and members of the bank's board of directors and he urged the EBRD to identify specific areas for increasing investment in its 2027-2031 strategy for Lithuania, and expressed his expectation that the bank would continue to help the country develop its capital market and attract private investment, and invest in infrastructure projects.

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Alternatives to EU funding for Rail Baltica being sought – Lithuanian PM

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – Alternative sources of funding are being sought for Rail Baltica in case the European Union fails to provide sufficient support for the multi-billion-euro European standard-gauge railway project, whose costs have soared, Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas said in Riga on Friday.

"We are looking for alternative financial resources in case the funding from the EU is not sufficient in the next (2028-2034) financial perspective," he told reporters after meeting with his Latvian and Estonian counterparts.

The Baltic prime ministers discussed the progress of Rail Baltica just days after their transport ministers agreed to jointly negotiate long-term EU funding beyond 2027, when the current EU budget cycle ends.

Paluckas said the European-gauge railway is important for both regional connectivity and military mobility, so the countries "must demonstrate a strong political will and practical commitment to completing the Rail Baltica project by 2030."

"Negotiating funding under the coming multiannual financial framework will require effort and political will, but we'll do our best together to get the necessary financing," he said.

The Lithuanian prime minister has previously said the entire project currently faces a funding shortfall of around 11 billion euros.

Lithuanian Transport Minister Eugenijus Sabutis has said that borrowing is being considered for the project, with a guarantee that the loan would be repaid from future EU funds.

The full Rail Baltica project, aimed at connecting the Baltic states with the rest of Europe, is scheduled for completion in 2030, with the Lithuanian and Polish railway tracks expected to be linked in 2028.

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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Lithuanian PM in Riga urges tougher sanctions on Russia, path for Ukraine into NATO, EU

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, who is taking part in Friday's meeting of the Baltic Council of Ministers in Riga, called for tougher sanctions on Russia and a clear path for Ukraine toward NATO and European Union membership.

"We agree that efforts to strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position must be stepped up. Ukraine needs solid and long-term security guarantees, including NATO and EU membership, and continued enhancement of its military capabilities," Paluckas said.

"We must uphold and expand sanctions against Russia, including the shadow fleet, and its accomplice, Belarus. Further isolate Russia internationally and demand accountability, including the confiscation of all Russia's frozen assets," he added.

Paluckas said the shared goal of the Baltic states is to help Ukraine win the war and secure a just, lasting and sustainable peace, something that requires comprehensive support for Kyiv.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silinia said that all three Baltic countries are spending at least 2.25 percent of their GDP "to help Ukraine militarily."

"We'll continue to do so in future as well," she said.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed that the EU's 18th package of sanctions against Russia "must hit where it hurts: energy, finance and the shadow fleet."

As the Kremlin's war in Ukraine continues, the EU adopted its 17th sanctions package against Moscow a week ago. However, some member states are already pushing for an 18th round.

Lithuania wants the new package to target companies involved in energy, natural gas and oil, as well as financial institutions.

Ukraine applied to join NATO in September 2022, a few months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. It has yet to receive a formal invitation, as the Alliance's 32 member states have struggled to reach consensus.

Last year, all 27 EU members gave Kyiv the green light to open accession talks, but the process has stalled because Hungary is blocking it, demanding guarantees for the rights of Ukraine's Hungarian-speaking minority.

By Paulius Perminas

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Lithuanian foreign minister invites Spain to contribute to rotational air defense model

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS - Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys has invited Spain to contribute to the rotational air defense model in the Baltic states.

"Spain's participation in the NATO Air Policing mission in Lithuania is a clear sign of allied solidarity and a strong message of deterrence to our enemies. We invite Spain to contribute to the implementation of the rotational air defense model in the Baltic states, which is a necessary step towards taking NATO's frontline security to a new level," Lithuania's top diplomat, currently in Madrid, was quoted as saying in a statement released by the ministry on Friday.

Agreed at the NATO summit in Vilnius in 2023, the rotational air defense model aims to rotate allied air defense weapons in the Baltic states on a virtually permanent basis. So far, two countries have contributed to this model in Lithuania. The Netherlands sent Patriot long-range air defense systems to the country in July 2024 and Italy deployed SAMP/T long-range ground-based air defense systems for a training exercise in February this year.

During their meeting, Budrys and his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares also discussed bilateral cooperation, ways to strengthen European security and defense and support to Ukraine, as well as preparations for the forthcoming NATO summit in The Hague.

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Lithuanian FM expects no tangible results from upcoming Russia, Ukraine talks

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys says it is unlikely that the second direct talks between Ukraine and Russia will produce some tangible results.

"It will depend on the intention and the mood of the Russian delegation. If it’s the same as during the last time, then we know how it all ended and that there was no real desire to negotiate, which is why there were no tangible results in terms of a ceasefire," Lithuania's top diplomat, currently in Madrid, said on Friday. "It is very likely that this will be the case this time as well."

Any ceasefire should be imposed "unconditionally and immediately", Budrys said.

"Only during a ceasefire can normal, negotiated talks on ending the aggression take place, and the involvement of both the United States and Europe in such talks must be ensured," the minister said.

"Results must be defined. If not, (...) a package of sanctions must be prepared and implemented as only that will lead to that result, because what we are seeing now is only imitation. Will Monday change this assessment that it is not imitation? Probably not, which is why the Ukrainians need even more support," he said.

As BNS reported earlier, Turkey proposed a trilateral meeting of the US, Russian and Ukrainian president to end Moscow's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched more than three years ago.

By Vilmantas Venckūnas

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It's not for Russia to decide who joins NATO – Lithuanian FM

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS - Russia's wish to have NATO pledge it won't admit more Eastern European states to the alliance is an attempt by Moscow to divert attention from peace talks, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys says.

It's for Russia to decide who can become new NATO members, he added.

"NATO expands when NATO decides to accept new members, there are conditions for that, all countries that fall within the Euro-Atlantic defense area may want to become members of NATO in accordance with the Washington Treaty and it is not for Russia to decide here who should and who should not be a member," Budrys, currently in Madrid, said on Friday.

"This is another attempts to divert attention from the substance, and a ceasefire is the substance, and it needs to be agreed on, and we support American efforts to get Russia to stop its aggression immediately and to come to the negotiating table under the terms of the ceasefire," he said.

Moscow's statements are about stalling and trying to avoid "all the bad consequences", Budrys said.

"The main question for the Russians remains the same: do you agree with a ceasefire or not?" Lithuania's top diplomat said.

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Keith Kellogg said in an interview with ABC News on Thursday that NATO's eastward expansion was an understandable concern for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Moscow claims that Ukraine's desire to join NATO is one of the main reasons for the Russian invasion.

Russia's aggression towards Ukraine began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and the war in the Donbas region, although at the time Kyiv had no real prospects of joining NATO in the near future.

Trump has repeatedly echoed Moscow's narrative that Ukraine's efforts to join NATO were one of the main reasons for the large-scale invasion.

By Vilmantas Venckūnas

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Lithuanian PM continues to deny involvement in co-owned companies' management, operation

VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas continues to deny his involvement in the operation or management of several companies he co-owns after journalist Andrius Tapinas published information about the possible illegal actions of these.

"I have said numerous times and I can only repeat that I am not involved in the activities or management of these companies in any form, and therefore any questions related to these activities, raising suspicions or doubts, must be referred to the relevant authorities, and these authorities will respond to any doubts or even suspicions of irregularities and arising questions," the prime minister told reporters in Riga on Friday.

The Special Investigation Service told BNS it's assessing the latest information.

The report states that the loan – the maximum available under the Start program for young small and medium-sized enterprises – was granted in early February.

Questions have therefore been raised as to whether Garnis was created as a sham in order to obtain the loan.

Up until now, Paluckas and the executives of the two companies have maintained that they are engaged in different activities and produce different products.

The prime minister has asked the Chief Official Ethics Commission to assess the situation, although he maintains he's not in a conflict of public and private interests.

The SIS says it's looking the latest media reports, and ILTE has vowed to carry out an internal audit within a week and has launched an unscheduled inspection into the possible misuse of the loan.

By Vilmantas Venckūnas

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Jul 24 2025

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