BNN ANALYSES | Geopolitical tension spurs more Lithuanians think of plan B – leaving country

Linas Jegelevičius
Thank God, Lithuania is not at war with anyone, but, well, talks about it – let me articulate clearer: being attacked by a hostile Russia – are getting increasingly louder in the country. If such threat is real or not, let’s allow to decide defence pundits. BNN asked Lithuanians from different walks of life if it is a concern for them? And if yes, are they stocking canned foods and water in preparation for day X?
Andrius Bagdonas, Member of Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas), told BNN.lv that he, in general, does not see any tangible signs of war-related angst in society.
“Objectively, the threats we were facing following Russia’s attack on Ukraine in February of 2022, did not go anywhere, yet there is nothing to point at, showing we are in a greater risk now. Unfortunately, some of our politics are increasingly raising the topic war and day X, which may never come. I really

would not like to see our politicians building their electoral campaigns based on fearmongering,” the legislator said.

Pressed if he knows someone who, worried about Russia’s encroachment, stocked the fridge with foods and water, A. Bagdonas replied: “Honestly speaking, I am not aware of such cases. However, I do know a couple of businessmen, who, out of the war-related apprehensions, withdrew funds from their enterprises in order to have more cash at home. And, indeed, some of them are on lookout for a property abroad.”
Jūratė Radzevičiūtė, a real estate broker, confirmed to BNN of having

an increased number of queries on acquiring real estate in as far-flung countries as Spain or Cyprus.

“Frankly, the tense geopolitical situation prompted me to buy a flat in Cyprus last year. And that is exactly the reason for a part of Lithuanians who, worried about war, look for what I call plan B – leave the country when things go awry. I see this becoming especially relevant now. Especially in the last three months, I am receiving a lot of inquiries from Lithuanians who want to buy real estate in Cyprus and Dubai. Anxieties are not always substantiated, but I think it’s better to prepare for the worst in advance than hope for the best and do nothing,” Radzevičiūtė  told BNN.
Approached by BNN, Dainius Žalimas, a Lithuanian lawyer and politician, the former chairman of the Constitutional Court of Lithuania, and, now, the presidential candidate of the Laisvė (Freedom) party, the ruling Coalition’s minority party, told BNN he does not feel big angst over war.

“I am ready to meet my destiny here in Lithuania whatever the future brings.

But indeed, there are people who buy real estate elsewhere in securing their safety, if something bad happens here,” D. Žalimas said.
He emphasised that he “misses calmer news” from the President (Gitanas Nausėda), the Prime Minister (Ingrida Šimonytė) and the Defence minister (Arvydas Anušauskas).
“Threat of war is not completely unfounded, but I do not like to see the narrative being increasingly used for political gains. The other extreme would be living as if nothing bad is happening at our own door… I am taking it seriously – we still have not fully addressed our air defence issue, for example,” he said.
The presidential candidate also misses the Vilnius authority’s plan of the city dwellers’ evacuation.
“Imagine that there is necessity for that. Does anyone know where the nearest shelter is? What to do in the situation? I doubt,” D. Žalimas reasoned.
He admitted he has neither bought a flat abroad nor is building a house for the family’s retreat in Lithuanian woods.

“I do not have resources for that,” he said.

Arvydas Dočkus, councillor of the Palanga municipality, told BNN.lv that he tends to “calmly” look at things and the topic of possible yet not imminent aggression against Lithuania is not an exception.
“The life in Palanga, a resort town, is quiet and quite normal. I really did not meet anyone who would be too worried about war in Lithuania.

It is preposterous even to think about it,

considering the security guarantees we have – I mean the NATO and EU memberships,”
the politician said. The question if the Palanga municipality recently installed any new shelters or renewed those built during the Soviet era caught his off guard.
“Frankly, I do not know. But I’ve not heard about that,” he said.
Adolfas Sendrauskas, member of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union (LRU), told BNN.lv that, in getting ready for the worst, Union members were allowed to acquire rifle guns and keep them at home.
“However, they have to use their own money to purchase them. Personally, I did not buy any gun. I am an old man; I’ve seen a lot in my life. I’ve even witnessed WWII, so I am not panicky. But indeed, lately, I am seeing many more people worried about Russia’s incursion,” the 82-year-old man said.

The octogenarian admitted he stocked his fridge and cupboard with extra food and water,

so he can last at least a couple of weeks if something horrible happens.
Kęstutis Overlingas, the commander of a LRU unit, says that his riflemen attend local schools and talk to their children about the organisation, explain how to join it and also address the issue of security in the country.
 “It is wonderful to see the excitement and eagerness in the children’s eyes. It is very gratifying that several children have already joined us,” he said.
According to him, no one cannot ignore the geopolitical situation, so

it is necessary to be familiar with the situation in case of a military conflict.

Dalia Štraupaitė, the former mayor of Visaginas, a predominantly Russian-speaking town in northeastern, told BNN.lv that the local population is pretty divided over war in Ukraine.
“I always try to calm down everyone. I neither ignite war nor buy grits. I keep repeating we should trust our government and go around our lives without much fussing about the future,” she said.
Evaldas Petrauskas, businessman in the Kretinga municipality in western Lithuania, told BNN that he feels a lot of anxiety in the local community over the tense geopolitical situation.
“Some are looking for real estate. In Spain mostly. Even my own daughter, who lives in Kaunas, out of fear what could be next, considers investing in real estate in Spain, not here. I try to calm her down, suggesting her not to watch TV. Unfortunately, the narrative of war here has grown. Undoubtedly, it plays into the ruling Conservatives’ hands.

I hear particularly from old people that Russian will attack us,” E. Petrauskas said.

Meanwhile, Darius Antanaitis, owner of UAB Ostara that, until now, produced state-of-the-art buggies for border guards, environmentalists, mining companies and the military, says: “Signs of geopolitics-related anxiety are clearly tangible in our communities. It is understandable that, with the Russians advancing in some parts of the frontline, our people are getting more nervous and showing angst about their future here. However, said that, I want to emphasise that

there’s no need whatsoever to go panicky and people should not fall victims to fatalism.”

He says social angst makes harm to the state, worsens the investment environment, prompts to doubt Nato and the European Union, something the Russian propaganda aims at.
Antanaitis admitted his family got ready for the worst scenario long time ago.
“Our decisions were made well before war in Ukraine. My daughter, who in in the military and I, also a military man, understand very well what will await us if that day comes – we’d be mobilised. During the dark days, my wife and our younger daughter would evacuate to our cottage in countryside, where we have food and water stocks ready,” D. Antanaitis told BNN.
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