🚲 Celebrating #WorldBicycleDay by exploring beautiful 🇺🇸 capital.
🇱🇹 Ambassador @varvuolis joined @WABADC’s inaugural “Embassies Ride,” cycling past Washington’s iconic landmarks. The event promotes community, sustainability, healthy living, & a shared appreciation of the city.
Yesterday, 🇱🇹 Ambassador @varvuolis welcomed a delegation from @AJCGlobal & @LithuanianJews, who are participating in this week’s #AJCGloFo. The discussions focused on Jewish heritage in Lithuania, efforts to combat antisemitism, regional security, and transatlantic cooperation.
I was honored to represent the United States at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Vilnius, Lithuania. Working with our allies to strengthen collective defense, support Ukraine, and ensure the NATO Alliance remains strong in the face of evolving global threats. 🇺🇸
🇱🇹 Ambassador @varvuolis participated in the 30th Biennial Conference of the @balticstudies at @UofIllinois last weekend. In a panel discussion, 🇱🇹🇱🇻🇪🇪 ambassadors discussed regional security, NATO, support for 🇺🇦, transatlantic relations & the important role of Baltic diasporas.
We stand with our NATO Ally Romania and condemn this reckless incursion on its territory. Our thoughts are with the injured in Galati. We will defend every inch of NATO territory.
🇱🇹 Ambassador @varvuolis met with @FredKempe, President & CEO of the @AtlanticCouncil at our Embassy today. They discussed the most pressing foreign policy issues, security situation in our region, and future cooperation. 🤝
🇱🇹🇧🇾 Lithuanian border guards discovered another smuggling tunnel from Belarus. 38 illegal migrants from Afghanistan emerged from it.
Lithuanian authorities determined that the migrants were not in immediate danger and returned them to Belarus.
This is already the third such tunnel discovered recently.
This is already the third such tunnel discovered recently. Vilnius stresses that these tunnels are being dug “with the help of Belarusian security forces.”
David Malukas delivered the drive of his career at today’s 110th Indianapolis 500, battling at the front and crossing the line 2nd in the closest finish the race has ever seen.
The 24-year-old Team Penske driver is the son of Lithuanian immigrants who came to America after the Soviet Union’s collapse — his father a truck driver, his mother a dispatcher, who together built a trucking company and the foundation for their son’s dream.
Ahead of the green flag, Malukas spoke with Freedom 250 about what drives him: “Freedom means everything to me. It’s the reason why I’m standing here today.”
Proud of you, @malukasdavid! 🇱🇹🇺🇸
David Malukas delivered the drive of his career at the 110th Indianapolis 500, battling at the front & finishing 2nd. The son of 🇱🇹 immigrants, David embodies the Lithuanian-American belief in freedom and the courage to dream big. 💪 @Freedom250
Thank you President Gitanas Nauseda for your leadership. Lithuania is a very strong ally. It spends 5.4% of its economy on defense, the highest in NATO. It is independent of Russian energy and leans forward in supporting Ukraine. It provides great hospitality to our 1000 deployed troops.
I’m in Vilnius to send a clear message:
Europe stands in full solidarity and unity with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
And we are stepping up our support.
Because when Baltic States are being tested, Europe as a whole is being tested.
A quick trip back home, in good company of the first Congressional delegation this year, led by two outstanding members of the House: @RepDonBacon & @RepEdCase, great & trustworthy friends of Lithuania. Meeting State authorities, members of 🇱🇹 Parliament, touring key institutions
I visited the Paneriai Forest where the Nazis murdered almost 100,000 Jews outside of Vilnius. The Nazis killed 97% of the Jews who lived in Lithuania. Most were shot in large pits in the forest. Barbarity in its worst form.
Never forget, never again.
@HolocaustMuseum
🇱🇹 Defence Minister @robertas_kaunas met with 🇺🇸 U.S. Congressmen David Bacon and @RepEdCase to discuss regional security and strengthening NATO’s eastern flank.
✊ Lithuania was highlighted as a reliable Ally and security provider committed to collective defence and deterrence.
I thank U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Kara McDonald for hosting @RepEdCase and me, along with great leaders of the Lithuanian Parliament. Lithuania spends 5.4% of its GDP on defense, has diplomatic ties with Taiwan & has totally stopped importing Russian energy.
🇱🇹🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇮🇮🇸🇱🇻🇳🇴🇸🇪
In joint statements we, the #NB8 Foreign Ministers, categorically reject Russia’s blatant disinformation campaign and its fabricated accusations following the airspace violations, which Russia shamelessly uses to mask its military failures.
Our territory and airspace have never been used for attacks against targets in Russia. Incidents involving drones entering @NATO airspace are a direct consequence of Russia’s illegal war of aggression against #Ukraine.
Ukraine has the full and inherent right to self-defence. We reaffirm our unwavering support for 🇺🇦 and remain fully committed to #NATO collective defence, while continuing to strengthen security and credible deterrence across our region.
🇺🇸 President @realDonaldTrump’s decision to send an additional 5,000 US troops to Poland is a significant decision for the security of NATO’s eastern flank.
A stronger Allied presence in our region reinforces deterrence and contributes to the security of the Baltic States and all of Europe.
Continuous US military presence in Lithuania remains vital to the security of our region.
Today, we stand with Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine around the world in celebrating #VyshyvankaDay. More than an embroidered shirt, vyshyvanka is a symbol of identity, strength & resilience. It's a powerful reminder of what 🇺🇦 defends every day: its freedom, culture, & future.