Latest news with #BalticStates
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU state could ban Russian citizens from politics
Lithuanian conservatives have proposed banning Russian passport holders from serving as founders, members, or donors of political parties. The bill, drafted by the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TSLKD), the country's largest opposition party, would also require political parties to disclose members with multiple citizenships. The authors argue that nationals from Russia, Belarus, and China, which are designated as 'hostile states' by the Lithuanian government, pose a security threat. 'Citizens of hostile states, particularly those connected to Russian oligarchs, may exert influence through political parties,' bill co-author Dalia Asanaviciute said, according to LRT. She claimed that 'Russia allocates significant resources to interfere in democratic and political processes globally, with a focus on our region.' According to LRT, the bill was prompted by a report stating that Alvydas Brusokas, co-founder and donor of the Dawn of Nemunas party, holds dual Lithuanian-Russian citizenship. For centuries, Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire, and from 1940 to 1991, it was a republic within the Soviet Union. Ethnic Russians make up around 5% of the country's population of 2.89 million. Around 14,500 Russian citizens have residency permits in Lithuania, some of whom left Russia for political reasons. As one of the most vocal supporters of Ukraine, Lithuania has been at the forefront of demanding tougher sanctions on Moscow. Earlier this year, the country passed a law allowing the revocation of residency for people who frequently travel to Russia or Belarus 'without objective reasons.' Conservatives also called for an amendment allowing the stripping of Lithuanian citizenship for supporting Russia in the conflict with Ukraine. Moscow has described Lithuania's attempts to portray Russia as a threat as 'incitement of Russophobia.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pentagon Hosts Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania To Strengthen European Defense
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Friday with his counterparts from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania at the Pentagon to discuss European defense spending and security challenges. The meeting comes as Baltic nations prepare to dramatically increase military budgets amid ongoing regional tensions. Hegseth praised Estonian Minister Hanno Pevkur, Latvian Minister Andris Sprūds, and Lithuanian Minister Dovilė Šakalienė for committing to allocate 5% of their respective countries' GDPs to defense by 2026. The spending target represents one of the highest defense investment rates among NATO allies. According to Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell, the Secretary 'appreciated the Baltic states' clear-eyed view of the European security environment.' Hegseth emphasized that European nations must take 'primary responsibility for Europe's conventional defense.' The defense leaders also explored ways to strengthen their nations' defense manufacturing capabilities. Building industrial capacity has become increasingly critical as allies seek to replenish weapons stockpiles and modernize military equipment. The Baltic states have emerged as some of NATO's most committed members in terms of defense spending. Their proximity to Russia has driven aggressive military modernization efforts in recent years. The Pentagon readout noted Hegseth's push for allies to convert higher spending into 'combat credible capabilities.' This reflects broader U.S. concerns about ensuring defense dollars translate into meaningful military readiness rather than bureaucratic overhead. Solve the daily Crossword
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU state could block Russian citizens from politics
Lithuania's conservatives have proposed banning Russian passport holders from serving as founders, members or donors of political parties. The bill, drafted by the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TSLKD), the country's largest opposition party, would also require political parties to disclose members with multiple citizenships. The authors argue that nationals from Russia, Belarus and China, which are designated as 'hostile states' by the Lithuanian government, pose a security threat. 'Citizens of hostile states, particularly those connected to Russian oligarchs, may exert influence through political parties,' said bill co-author Dalia Asanaviciute, according to LRT. She claimed that 'Russia allocates significant resources to interfere in democratic and political processes globally, with a focus on our region.' According to LRT, the bill was prompted by a report stating that Alvydas Brusokas, co-founder and donor of the Dawn of Nemunas party, holds dual Lithuanian-Russian citizenship. For centuries, Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire, and between 1940 and 1991, it was a republic within the Soviet Union. Ethnic Russians make up around 5% of the country's population of 2.89 million. Around 14,500 Russian citizens have residency permits in Lithuania, some of whom left Russia for political reasons. As one of the most vocal supporters of Ukraine, Lithuania has been at the forefront of demanding tougher sanctions on Moscow. Earlier this year, the country passed a law allowing the revocation of residency for people who frequently travel to Russia or Belarus 'without objective reasons.' Conservatives also called for an amendment allowing the stripping of Lithuanian citizenship for supporting Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Moscow has described Lithuania's attempts to portray Russia as a threat as 'incitement of Russophobia.'
Russia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukrainians making Russian more common in EU state
Ukrainian refugees have contributed to the growing use of the Russian language in Lithuania, a senior official of the Baltic state has said. For centuries, Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire, and between 1940 and 1991, it was a republic within the Soviet Union. Ethnic Russians make up around 5% of the country's population of 2.89 million. Approximately 60% of Lithuanian citizens are fluent in Russian, and nearly all Ukrainians understand the language to some extent. 'With the arrival of refugees from Ukraine, as well as migrants from Central Asia and other countries, Russian is being heard more often in public places,' Dainius Babilas, head of the Department of National Minorities, said on Friday. Babilas urged the public not to exploit the issue of language to sow division. 'We encourage society's opinion leaders … to ensure that the well-intentioned goal of strengthening the national language does not become a vehicle for inciting hatred or creating social divides, which would weaken the resilience of the state and civil society,' he said, according to national broadcaster LRT. Language has remained a point of contention since Lithuania regained independence, with Russian-speaking politicians and activists pushing back against efforts to stigmatize the language and limit its role in public life and education. The influx of Ukrainians has also posed challenges for schools and enforcement of labor laws, which require a basic knowledge of Lithuanian. In a viral Facebook post last month, veteran journalist Edmundas Jakilaitis wrote: 'The prevalence of Russian in Vilnius has become intolerable. The language is everywhere. How are we supposed to reclaim the capital now?' Lithuania is among the most vocal supporters of Ukraine in the EU and has consistently called for tougher sanctions on Moscow and increased military aid to Kiev.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
The ‘best way' to ensure peace is to help Ukraine win war against Russia, Estonian defense minister urges
Baltic defense ministers Dovile Sakaliene, Andris Spruds and Hanno Pevkur try to find 'Common Ground' on efforts to end the war in Ukraine on 'Special Report.'
