Opinion Archives - Page 91 of 96 - the Lithuania Tribune

Central European countries' flags in Kaunas

V4 divergences: symptom of a deeper crisis in Europe?

December 13, 2014 Sofia Casablanca 0

The spread of the Ukrainian crisis has aroused strong reactions of the USA and the European Union against Russian interference in Ukrainian politics. Russia is a strategic market for Europe and the close trades and financial links have pushed the European Union in the direction of a more moderate and careful response, at first. Because of the stalemate in the dialogue between Moscow and Kiev and the threat of a Russian military intervention in Ukraine, the EU has aligned its plan sanctions against Russia with the USA one, between July and September. […]

Opinion: Farewell litas, welcome euro

December 12, 2014 Julius Bailey-Augalistas 0

At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day 2015 the bell will toll, heralding the start of a new year and a new era for Lithuania. Yet the fireworks and jubilation will play out against a backdrop of sadness as Lithuania’s national currency, the litas, dies a death. […]

Brezhnevizing: henceforth and forever

December 11, 2014 Ramunas Bogdanas 0

This year Vladimir Putin‘s annual address received particularly much attention: the leader of an aggressive state with declining economy was presenting his vision, a state that is a real headache to anyone who has to deal with it. […]

Opinion: Reality check for Russia

December 8, 2014 www.lrt.lt 0

If there was anything surprising in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual address to the Federal Assembly it was that there was nothing new in it. It seems that slowly, very slowly, something is dawning on the Kremlin: a gloomy realization that Vladimir Putin is no saviour. […]

Opinion: Is international law really a law?

December 2, 2014 Mantas Kuncaitis 0

Although international law as a concept of general principles and customs has been known for centuries, reaching as back as Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome, discussions concerning its existence and common application reached its apogee only in the 20th century; however, neither the theoretical discussions, nor practical events managed to provide a definite answer to the most fundamental question, which is still being considered now at the time of unprecedented Russian aggression towards Ukraine and in the light of continuous conflicts in the Middle East: is international law, per se, real law? […]

Marshall plan for Ukraine: What should be done a year after Maidan?

November 29, 2014 Ramunas Bogdanas 0

The new Ukrainian Government has been appointed one year after the Euromaidan revolution began in Kyiv. In November 2013, those who felt mostly betrayed by President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych crowded in the Maidan of Kyiv. […]

Opinion: Why Russia’s threat to Baltic states is so real

November 28, 2014 Marius Laurinavicius 0

Professor Kęstutis Girnius has once again decided on DELFI to calm everyone down by saying there is no real danger of Russian aggression against Lithuania. I once again risk becoming what Mr. Girnius calls a “professional Cassandra” by constantly scaring people with the Russian threat. […]

Opinion: Breaking up Google at European Parliament

November 27, 2014 Kaja Kallas 0

Picking a fight at such a high level with Google would damage the reputation of the European Parliament, writes Estonian MEP Kaja Kallas. […]

Military during training in Kaliningrad oblast

Opinion: What is next in the line for independence? Exclude Kaliningrad, please

November 26, 2014 Linas Jegelevicius 0

The tide of plebiscites for independence is rolling across Europe. You name it: Scotland, Crimea, Ukraine’s Luhansk and Donetsk and then Spain’s Catalonia. […]

Opinion: The importance of manners in the East

November 25, 2014 Ramunas Bogdanas 0

A small episode recently has shown that Russian President Vladimir Putin feels like he is a know-it-all who can ignore his advisory team. It happened in Beijing during the fireworks show for the APEC summit participants. […]

Opinion: Under-water incursions in Swedish waters and changing landscape of Baltic Sea security

November 24, 2014 Karlis Neretnieks 0

In October, the Swedish Navy, after several years of calm, once again mounted an operation to identify and avert under-water intruders operating in Swedish territorial waters. Media speculated wildly about the reasons why anyone (read Russia) should have a reason to conduct an operation in the Stockholm archipelago; war preparations, infiltrating agents, discourage Sweden joining NATO and several other possible motives were put forward. […]

Opinion: Time for EU to review security strategy

November 21, 2014 Laurynas Kasciunas 0

It is a paradox that European security strategy, prepared in 2003, names closer relations with Russia as one of the most important factors of the EU’s security and prosperity. […]

Opinion: Are Baltic states in danger?

November 19, 2014 DELFI EN 0

The situation is Ukraine has gotten more ominous. Additional armed Russian troops have entered the country’s territory a week ago, accompanied by heavy weaponry and tanks. This mobilization of Russia‘s armed forces is not the first such occurrence, but the significance lies in its timing on the eve of several high-profile international meetings. […]

RT's propaganda ad within 50 meters of the US State Department HQ. Photo Ludo Segers

Opinion: Russian propaganda lands on America’s shores

November 18, 2014 Ludo Segers from Washington 0

For almost a year now Russian propaganda in the US was lingering in the fringes of society. Now the Kremlin’s RT hits the main streets of Washington, DC, and New York City with an ad campaign of a different kind. It seems that Russian propaganda, the often-ignored part of the war conflict, has hit right in the political heart of the US. […]

Opinion: Is Putin still bluffing?

November 17, 2014 www.lrt.lt 0

Bluff is an English word that has entered international parlance. Its original meaning refers to a poker player who pretends to have a good hand. […]

Opinion: The deathly risks of doing business with Russia

November 14, 2014 Ramunas Bogdanas 0

In the evening of 20 October 2014, the first snow fell in Moscow. CEO of one of the world’s biggest oil companies, Total, Christophe de Margerie had a meeting in the residence of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to discuss future investment in Russia. […]

Opinion: Missile defence shield for Lithuania. Why not?

November 13, 2014 Valentinas Mazuronis 0

One of the largest military exercises in Lithuania, the Iron Sword, was launched in November in Lithuania. Over 2,500 troops from nine countries gathered to take part in the exercises to prepare to respond to military threats. […]

Opinion: Main challenges of hybrid war – army reserve and local self-defence guard

November 12, 2014 Andrius Kubilius 0

Military action in Ukraine is subsiding. Perhaps we can afford a sigh of relief. However, it would be definitely wrong to calm down without attempting at long-term conclusions for ourselves. These should be the conclusions on whether we are prepared to defend ourselves against such hybrid wars as the one that Russia has been fighting in Ukraine. […]

Opinion: What Lithuanians do and don’t know about Russia and Ukraine

November 11, 2014 Marius Laurinavicius 0

The criticism levied at the Lithuanian media by EU Ambassador to Moscow Mr. Vygaudas Ušackas, who said that reporting on Russia in Lithuania is rather one-sided, caused a considerable response. […]

Opinion: Lithuania has become EU’s pupil star in energy policy, but…

November 11, 2014 Linas Jegelevicius 0

With the launch of “Independence”, Lithuania’s long-and-hard-fought striving for energy diversity and independence has definitely seen a big boost. But behind the jubilant scene stands the avuncular European Union that has long been encouraging the member states to seek brave solutions in tackling energy security issues. Now time has come for Brussels to rejoice, too – EU energy policies are playing out well in Lithuania. […]