The minimum you must know


Lithuania is five hundred and sixty three miles away from Ukraine across Belarus. So the country isn't directly involved in Ukraine-Russian security negotiations. The country is far enough away to be excluded. But there are considerable Russian capabilities in Belarus. And NATO has aligned with Lithuania. So the border between Lithuania and Belarus could become important in the future anyway.


President Gitanas Nausėda has a great amount to gain from good relations with Russia. But he gave a staunchly pro-Ukrainian and pro-NATO speech at his annual address to the United Nations in the fourth quarter of 2024. In fact, he said that Lithuania seeks “...a comprehensive Security Council reform," because, "there is simply no place for Russia in the Security Council, which was created to maintain international peace and security.” He didn't seem to believe in the possibility of improving NATO-Russian security relations.


Lithuania houses an unfair burden of Ukrainian refugees, and probably would prefer a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine incursion that would allow people to return to their homes. Lithuania is likely to privately encourage peaceful resolution for the same reasons that Poland, Germany and other European states may as well.

President Gitanas Nausėda

79th Session of the United Nations

Lithuania is at peace with all other countries.