Dalia Grybauskaitė
Foreign affairs

Russia’s sincerity in UN ‘very hard’ to believe, Lithuanian president says

In light of the situation in Ukraine, it is “very hard” the believe the sincerity of Russia‘s statements about peace initiatives in the Middle East, says Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaitė attending events of the United Nations (UN) in New York. […]

Stephen Nix. Photo IRI
Opinion

Opinion: Renewing the Transatlantic commitment to democracy

The dangerous actions by Russia and Vladimir Putin pose the greatest challenge to security and democracy since WWII. This applies not only to the countries within Eurasia, but to our post-war vision of a Europe whole, free and at peace. While not necessarily a return to the Cold War, the current situation nevertheless has brought a clear competition of ideologies to the forefront: democracies founded on free elections, accountable governance and rule of law versus authoritarian ideals of “managed democracy.” […]

Moscow
Uncategorized

EU and US preparing to keep sanctions against Russia in place next year

The European Union (EU) and the United States are preparing to keep sanctions against Russia in place in 2016, according to Bloomberg. […]

No Picture
Opinion

Opinion: The refugee crisis will define Europe’s future

While the refugee and migrant crisis is an existential problem for Europe, it is also a huge opportunity. The way it is handled will critically impact not only the future direction of Europe, but also its identity – the European ethos – economics, demographics and indeed (don’t be scared!) culture. Encapsulated in the current drama is an opportunity, which only few leaders and very few countries see as they are overwhelmed by the immediate tasks. If handled right, Europe will come out stronger. […]

Opinion

Opinion: Images of information war

Much have been written in recent years about the broad information war front that Russia opened against the West. Since Lithuania is today, thankfully, part of the West, we get a fair share of the offensive. This is a war, however, without sizzling bullets, without exploding mines or thundering of bombs, so we carry on with our lives as usual, our home windows intact. […]

Heidi Tagliavini
Opinion

Opinion: Spark of hope that Russia’s aggression will not pass this time

The German daily Berliner Zeitung was the first one to report about the resignation of Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini as OSCE special envoy in Ukraine and OSCE representative at the Minsk peace talks. This lady made her name in political and diplomatic quarters when the international commission she led published a report on the 2008 Georgian-Russian war. Her departure gives one hope that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia will not be given a Tagliavini treatment. […]