Tadas Valionis

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

Good meeting with Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration of the Republic of Moldova Valeriu Chiveri in Vilnius today.

Strong, united and resilient #Moldova, fully integrated into the #EU is of paramount importance to the security of the wider region and of the European continent.

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

Another disgraceful decision. While Russia continues its terror against #Ukraine - bombing cities, killing civilians and destroying lives - the #IOC chooses to reward the aggressor. A while ago, this was done with Belarus, now – with Russia. It's nothing else, but appeasement at the expense of justice and the Olympic values.

[Gitanas Nausėda @GitanasNauseda]

We should not only repeat how rock-solid Article 5 is, but also invest more.

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

🇪🇺🇺🇦🇲🇩
This was a truly historic day for Europe.

Today, #Ukraine and #Moldova – two candidate countries that have been guarding the European civilization from evil darkness in the East – officially started their #EU accession talks. A step that was long overdue, that was unnecessarily difficult, but that has been made.

What has been a dream for millions of Ukrainian and Moldovan people for decades, today became a reality.

Many might see today‘s opening of the first (fundamentals) clusters with the two countries just as the beginning of lengthy and cumbersome negotiations. Nevertheles today‘s event also serves as the starting point of the countdown towards their eventual EU accession.

We send our sincere congratulations to everyone who made this happen. We are there to assist Ukraine and Moldova to open all the remaining clusters without any further delay, and to close them as quickly as it is possible. Your success is also our success. And we are equally committed to it.

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

Another drone. Another air alert in the Baltics. This time - near Lithuania’s border with Belarus. #NATO Baltic Air Policing was activated.

These drone incidents don’t exist in isolation. The growing wave of drone violations across the Baltic states is a direct consequence of Russia’s war against #Ukraine and #Belarus’ complicity in it. Moscow and Minsk are responsible for breaches of our airspace and threats to civilian safety.

Meanwhile, Russia continues its information offensive - falsely accusing Baltic states of enabling drone strikes against Russia. Lithuania has never allowed its territory or airspace to be used for such attacks.

The NATO& EU response cannot stay symbolic:
-NATO’s relevant capabilities - Eastern Sentry and Baltic Sentry missions - must be reinforced
- EU Eastern Flank Watch initiative must be implemented& Special EU instrument for resilience of Eastern Flank urgently created
- NATO’s frontline needs air defense& stronger counter-drone capabilities
- EU critical infrastructure protection must be strengthened, as well as measures to counter Kremlin’s propaganda narratives

[Gitanas Nausėda @GitanasNauseda]

A warm meeting with the President of Moldova, @sandumaiamd, who is visiting Lithuania on an official visit.

I welcome the progress Moldova achieved in implementing reforms despite challenging circumstances. We encourage continuing and accelerating the necessary EU-related reforms, making them irreversible and ensuring that their benefits are felt and clearly understood by 🇲🇩society.

We firmly support Moldova’s aspiration to become a full member of the European Union by 2030.

[Gitanas Nausėda @GitanasNauseda]

Lithuania endorses it.

https://t.co/uwZbqyrtaL

[Gitanas Nausėda @GitanasNauseda]

On the eve of Freedom Defenders Day, Lithuania remembers the victims of the January 1991 events.

That sacrifice will never be forgotten. Bonfires by the TV Tower mark the memory of that night.

35 years ago, our whole nation stood united in defense of freedom.

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

On the night of January 13, 1991, Lithuanians stood unarmed before soviet tanks. The occupier came to crush our regained independence and failed. Armour and terror could not break people who chose freedom. Freedom proved stronger than soviet violence and oppression.

We will never forget those who gave their lives that night. We will never forget why we are free. And we will never stop defending our independence, our freedom and our dignity. 🇱🇹

#Sausio13

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

Thank you, dear Johann @AussenMinDE, for coming to Vilnius! I look forward to further strengthening the friendship between our countries and nations 🇱🇹🇩🇪.

[EU in the Republic of Moldova @EUinMoldova]

On #InternationalDayfortheEliminationofViolenceAgainstWomen, let's unite to say NO to gender-based violence, including online. It's a global epidemic that affects millions but is preventable. Everyone’s role is key in creating a safe, equal world. The EU Delegation to Moldova & EU MS Ambassadors stand for dignity, respect, and accountability.

#OrangeTheWorld #16DaysOfActivism #EndVAW #EndGBV #MoldovaFaraViolenta

[U.S. Embassy Vilnius @USEmbVilnius]

Yesterday, a shipment of American LNG arrived in Klaipeda, part of which will be processed and sent to Ukraine. This will mark the first Ukraine-bound shipment of natural gas to come through Lithuania. With over 75% of gas processed in Klaipeda now coming from the United States, we are working in partnership with Lithuania to bring reliable energy to the region. American natural gas strengthens the national security of the United States and our partners.

Photos by KN Energies

[Gitanas Nausėda @GitanasNauseda]

Happy Independence Day, Latvia!

I congratulate President @edgarsrinkevics and the people of Latvia. Our nations stand together in the Baltic family as close friends, #EU and #NATO allies.

Lithuania remains committed to strengthening our cooperation and building a secure, prosperous Baltic region.

[Inga Ruginienė @IRuginiene]

Lithuania and Norway are NATO allies and close partners, united by a shared commitment to peace, security, and democracy in the region.

These values compel us to further strengthen our bilateral & regional partnership through formats like NB8 – an effort that is vital today in the areas of defence, security, and resilience.

We discussed these topics and more with Atle Konta Midttun, 🇳🇴 Ambassador to 🇱🇹.

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

Thank you 🇪🇺 High Representative @kajakallas and our #EU partners for the united and principled stance. Belarus’ repeated balloon incursions into 🇱🇹 airspace are not technical misshapes — they are calculated hybrid operations against the European Union. These attacks must not go unanswered. It’s time to escalate pressure and expand sanctions on the Lukashenka regime. Europe must act with resolve.

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

🧵2/4 We’ve seen this playbook before.

From the weaponization of migration by the Lukashenko regime to the sabotage of Baltic Sea cables - each act is part of a broader strategy of disruption.

But when the #EU and NATO respond with unity and precision, these tactics fail. Europe countered the migration crisis with coordinated sanctions, reinforced borders, and diplomatic pressure. #NATO launched Baltic Sentry to protect critical infrastructure after the cable sabotage.

The lesson is clear: hybrid threats demand collective resolve and targeted action.

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

🧵3/4 We must learn the lesson - as long as hybrid provocations from Russia and #Belarus continue, it means our response is insufficient. The cost for our adversaries is too low - and that must change. We must show resolute unity and solidarity. When we act together, dictators back down.
Here’s how:
-Impose new sanctions on Belarusian actors behind airspace violations, introduce targeted tariffs, and establish a dedicated sanctions regime for hybrid threats
-Continue the isolation of Belarusian and Russian regimes in international organisations& seek their responsibility
-Accelerate the implementation of Eastern Flank Watch& European Drone Wall initiative
-Activate #Frontex tools, deploy EU hybrid rapid response teams, and secure funding for border and infrastructure protection
-Strengthen #NATO capabilities for infrastructure defense and intelligence sharing
-Launch a strong regional response through coordinated action.

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

🧵4/4 The cost of inaction is too high. If we fail to respond decisively, these provocations will evolve - finding new forms, targeting new vulnerabilities, and moving deeper into Europe. Deterrence starts with action. The time to act is now.

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

🧵 1/4 #NATO is facing a deliberate escalation of hybrid warfare from #Russia and its proxy, #Belarus.

Last week, Russian military aircraft violated #Lithuanian airspace. Shortly after, dozens of helium balloons launched from Belarus entered our territory, moving towards major airports and disrupting civil aviation.

These are not isolated incidents. #Germany, #Denmark, #Estonia, #Norway& #Poland have also reported incursions by drones, balloons and military aircraft - all disrupting civil aviation, threatening public safety and critical infrastructure.

These are calculated provocations designed to destabilize, distract& test NATO’s resolve.

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

Lithuania🇱🇹 leads by example - allocating 5.38% of GDP to defence in the 2026 draft budget, becoming the first #NATO ally to hit the 5% mark.

Our commitment to defence is resolute and will only grow stronger, whilst having criminal neighbours being constant only on one count – aggression against democracies.
#WeAreNATO
#StrongerTogether