The gaze of the man with the concealed tear in his eye (to rephrase Rolandas Paksas‘ presidential image creator Aurelijus Katkevičius) turned to the police Commissioner General Saulius Skvernelis. The latter covered his epaulettes with a civilian suit and transitioned into politics.
The new clothing seems to have been comfortable because when Order and Justice detached from the coalition, the newly baked minister clung to his seat and shook his head when his godfather R. Paksas beckoned him to leave.
The ministership proceeded rather smoothly, popularity grew and the political newcomer was now choosing for himself, on whose team to play. Unfortunately, the higher, the more difficult. For five months now, PM S. Skvernelis’ ratings are melting and steps are not visible that would halt the painful decline.
S. Skvernelis’ behaviour in regard to the teachers’ crisis reminds me of Vladimir Putin’s model when the Kursk nuclear submarine accident occurred. Both the Russian president and our prime minister was left stunned in the face of the critical situation and both remained silent for a time. V. Putin refused Western offers of aid for the sailors, insisting he will resolve it himself. The crew died. S. Skvernelis also took to resolving things himself. He fired three ministers and that is all.
Furthermore, both the Lithuanian prime minister and Russian president immediately cover themselves with a conspiracy by hostile forces. The special services are called in to help.
Perhaps S. Skvernelis’ political godfather R. Paksas feels a certain internal similarity between his former protegee and V. Putin, thus such individuals draw him? One way or another, all three wore uniforms for a number of years, even if different ones. Despite having been forced into a disappointing end to his presidency, suspicions of Russian influence in tow, R. Paksas is knocking on the gates of the Kremlin.
A visit, which the hosts do not speak of
Delfi and Lietuvos Rytas journalists called the Russian presidential administration, but did not receive confirmation that R. Paksas met with V. Putin.
However, famous Russian journalist Konstantin Eggert contacted V. Putin’s press representative Dmitry Peskov, with whom he is acquainted, a few days ago and the latter confirmed in writing to him on the Telegram app that such a meeting occurred. Konstantin intends to release this correspondence with D. Peskov on Facebook.
A curious situation: R. Paksas returns and tells everyone he discussed important matters with V. Putin, but the Kremlin officially denies the meeting having occurred. Since R. Paksas says it, this means he was not told to keep it secret.
The Kremlin remains silent on the matter despite declaring that on that day V. Putin met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and former French prime minister Francois Fillon. Impeached President R. Paksas is nowhere to be found alongside the Venezuelan, who killed off his country’s economy and the Frenchman, who tarnished his reputation at home so bad, he had to withdraw from the presidential race. Silence means a complete reduction of significance.
The Americans did the same when they did not want to show support for presidential candidate Boris Yeltsin, their beloved Mikhail Gorbachev’s opponent. But who knows, what the person you do not need today could turn into? Thus, B. Jelcin was received at the US Department of State and it just so happened that at the time, US President George Bush entered the office. The meeting was held, but was not recorded. For the future.
One can only wonder, what interest V. Putin has in MEP R. Paksas. Does he see the latter in some sort of plans for the future or does he only want to show that even in fascist Lithuania there are politicians, who ask to be invited. The Lithuanian ambassador in Moscow was not aware of the meeting, but someone organised it.
My gaze slides to Yuri Borisov, who bent presidential candidate R. Paksas to his goals in his own time. His links with the Russian military industrial complex could help him reach Dmitry Rogozin or similarly ranked figures in Moscow, who are capable of organising a non-protocol meeting somewhere in a corridor or waiting room.
Such a meeting, kept low profile without motive, is simply an insult to the politician, however the recipient of the insult, R. Paksas does not grasp that in allowing him to talk, but remaining silent themselves, in his figure the Kremlin has created an opportunity to mock the West, how from the unbending and principled Lithuania, “pliable” politicians surface, who want to contact the baselessly rejected Russian president at all costs.
This fresh story reminds of Prime Minister S. Skvernelis’ initiative to, without any consultation, declare a new era in relations with Russia as if a united EU position didn’t exist, as if Lithuania did not have a stance toward Russia, which was coordinated with our allies.
The higher the state official that act this irresponsibly, the greater the distrust they create in their country. These are basics that should be evident to anyone, who wishes to aim for a post that is not just a wage, pension and honour, but also a great responsibility.