Last week, upon request of Lithuanian authorities, Google removed 201 blocked sites with Russian channels; former President Adamkus was hospitalized
Former PM backs Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė in Conservatives’ leadership race
Ingrida Šimonytė, a former prime minister and now an MP, on Friday, the 10th of January, expressed her support for Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė, a former education minister, in the race for leadership of the conservative Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (HU-LCD). According to her post on Facebook, the party needs a leader “who can unite and make the party strong, and who can sometimes be distant and uninvolved.” “The party does not need another direction, especially not one that veers toward chauvinism, radicalism, or hatred, something that our opponents and certain outside influencers are sometimes genuinely trying to push us toward. Let those who feel at home there stay there,” she added. Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė’s competitors in the leadership race are MPs Laurynas Kasčiūnas and Arvydas Anušauskas, both former defence ministers; MP Žygimantas Pavilionis; and Daivaras Rybakovas, the chairman of the party’s Jurbarkas branch. The campaign to select the new leader of the opposition HU-LCD kicked off in January and will last for one month. Both HU-LCD members and non-members who support the party will be eligible to vote in the election in February.
Defence ministry urges greater support for Ukraine at Ramstein meeting
Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė called on donors to step up military aid to Ukraine during the Ramstein meeting in Germany on Thursday, the 9th of January. At the Ukraine Contact Defence Group meeting, Šakalienė said that if each donor in the Ramstein format allocated 0.25% of its GDP to support Ukraine, it could strengthen the country’s position enough to transform “what the world begins to see as an illusion of peace into actual sustainable peace through clearly projected strength”, according to the ministry’s press release. It said Lithuania allocated 210 million euros, or 0.28% of its GDP, to Ukraine last year and remains committed to continuing its support. A further 10-million-euro injection into Ukraine’s defence industry is expected soon. At the meeting, Šakalienė presented the action plan, strategic objectives and rising challenges of the Lithuanian and Icelandic-led Capability Coalition for Demining.
Court allows to hold alleged Russian spy behind bars for another three months
The Šiauliai Regional Court ruled on Thursday, the 9th of January, to keep Eduard Manovas, who is accused of espionage for Russia, in custody for another three months. According to the criminal case file, the defendant carried out assignments for Russia’s GRU for a long period, collecting and passing on information to the foreign state’s intelligence in exchange for financial compensation. The man is accused of continuously collecting information of interest to the foreign organization, analysing it, making summaries and assessments, preparing information reports in Russian and remotely transmitting the data to Russian intelligence using encrypted messages. According to the prosecutor’s office, he was arrested in early 2024 and spying equipment was found during the arrest.
Foreign minister calls for sanctions on Russian shadow fleet, greater Baltic Sea control
Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys on Thursday, the 9th of January, called on allies to step up control over activities in the Baltic Sea and impose more sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet operating there. “We have to sanction more of those (shadow) ships and we have to better control what is happening in the Baltic Sea,” he told reporters in Riga after meeting with his Latvian counterpart, Baiba Braze. Lithuania’s top diplomat underlined the importance of having tools to effectively monitor activities in the sea. “There is a clear linkage between our lack of response and what we are getting now. (It reflects) a lack of reaction to what was already happening in continental Europe and elsewhere with sabotage operations by Russian institutions and their agents,” the minister said. Several underwater cables have been damaged in the sea recently, prompting NATO to step up its military presence in the area.
PM says consumers won’t be left without electricity even in emergencies
Amid reports of potential sabotage targeting strategic infrastructure, including energy facilities, in the region, Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas assured Lithuanian consumers on Wednesday, the 8th of January, that they would not be left without electricity even in critical situations. “Simulated scenarios show that, even in various critical situations, Lithuanian consumers will not be left without power,” he told reporters after the Cabinet meeting. Deputy Energy Minister Arnoldas Pikžirnis added that there is no scenario in which Lithuania could be left without electricity. Earlier on Wednesday, the Cabinet decided to bring forward by a few months the date of transferring the protection of the LitPol Link power interconnection with Poland, through which the Baltic grids will synchronize with the Continental European network in February, to the Public Security Service (PSS). The LitPol Link infrastructure facilities near Alytus are now protected by a private security company.
Defense Ministry compiles list of 25 000 conscripts
Lithuania’s Defense Ministry on Wednesday, the 8th of January, compiled the list of conscripts for 2025, and it includes 25 149 young men. In total, the lists of conscripts will be produced in the country’s six regions, and there are plans to call up nearly 3 900 young people to serve this year. The conscription reform adopted last year provides for the conscription of 18-22-year-olds who have completed graduate school. Those wishing to volunteer to serve could do so between the ages of 18 and 39. Students who entered higher education before their inclusion into the conscription list will be able to defer their service or serve voluntarily if they want to. The duration of alternative service has also been extended from 10 to 12 months.
Google removes 201 blocked sites with Russian channels
Google has removed 201 blocked websites providing access to EU-sanctioned Russian TV programs from its search engine, the Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission (LRTC) said on Tuesday, the 7th of January. According to the LRTC, Google decided in response to the media watchdog’s request. The LRTC also noted that this is not the first time Google has acted on its requests to remove websites from its search engine. Previous cases involved blocking websites over copyright infringements. On the 18th of December, the watchdog decided to block websites that provided access to Russian TV programs covered by EU sanctions.
Former President Adamkus hospitalized
Lithuania’s former President Valdas Adamkus was hospitalized at the end of last week, his assistant Božena Bagonaitienė confirmed on Tuesday, the 7th of January. The 98-year-old former president was admitted to Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos on the 3rd of January. She declined to comment on Adamkus’ current health condition and said she had no information on when he might be discharged. The hospital said on Monday, January 6, that Adamkus was hospitalized due to a worsening of his cardiac condition. Doctors decided to admit him for further examination and observation. The Tv3.lt news website was the first to report the news and BNS reported it later.
Ex-President joins Atlantic Council’s International Advisory Board
Ex-Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė has become a member of the International Advisory Board of the Atlantic Council, a US think tank, her spokeswoman Goda Bačenskienė said on Monday, the 6th of January. The former Lithuanian leader was invited to join the board by Frederick Kempe, president and chief executive officer of the Atlantic Council. Board members are elected for a three-year term. The International Advisory Board includes former presidents and prime ministers of Australia, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Poland, Sweden and other countries.
Tallinn-Vilnius train connection launches
The Tallinn-Tartu-Riga-Vilnius passenger train connection started operating on Monday, the 6th of January, with the heads of the Baltic passenger train operators slated to join the inaugural journey. The last time it was possible to travel directly by train from Tallinn to Latvia and Lithuania was in 1998 with the Baltic Express. After that, the service ceased. For the Tallinn-Tartu-Riga-Vilnius connection with two transfers, passengers will be served by Estonian passenger train operator Elron on the Tallinn-Valga route, Latvian passenger train operator Vivi on the Valga-Riga route, and Lithuanian passenger train operator LTG Link on the Riga-Vilnius route. For journeys that cross multiple countries, tickets must be purchased separately from each passenger train operator.