A Conversation with Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania

Speaker

• The Honorable Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania

Joined by

• Dr. Karen Donfried, President, The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) 
• Michał Baranowski, Director, The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), Warsaw Office 
• Jonathan Katz, Senior Fellow and Director, Democracy Initiatives, The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF)

Located on the European Union’s (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO’s) Eastern Flank, Lithuania has found itself at the center of several pressing and consequential geopolitical and security challenges. With the Baltic States’ proximity to Russia, Lithuania has become increasingly central to transatlantic security, democracy and a key foreign policy actor in relations between Russia, the United States, the EU, and the wider transatlantic community. Meanwhile, Lithuania has emerged as one of the most vocal advocates for freedom in neighboring Belarus, as the Lithuanian government and Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius has led the call for new elections, release of political prisoners and sanctions. Lithuania’s important and visible international role has not gone unnoticed, highlighted by recent visits to Vilnius by the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Looking ahead will Lithuania maintain its key role in addressing Russia and other regional security challenges, including the Belarus crisis, and will it result in a more permanent leadership role in the EU and the transatlantic community? What are Lithuania’s policy priorities in strengthening collective transatlantic security, including NATO, and that of regional and Eastern Partnership countries? What are the expectations of Vilnius and Europe for U.S. policies in Europe and regionally on the eve of the upcoming Presidential election?  We look forward to discussing these critical questions with Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius. 

If you have any questions, please contact Monika Bičkauskaitė at [email protected].