Latest news with #Šakalienė
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Alarm As Unidentified Drone Enters NATO Airspace
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An unidentified drone suspected to have come from Belarus entered into Lithuanian airspace on Monday, according a local outlet. Darius Buta, a representative of Lithuania's National Crisis Management Center, told public broadcaster LRT that a drone was spotted at an altitude of approximately 650 feet near the capital city of Vilnius. "This morning, residents received reports about a drone that most likely flew into the territory of Lithuania from Belarus," Buta told the outlet. "Police have activated all forces." Newsweek has contacted the Belarusian and Lithuanian foreign ministries via email for comment. Why It Matters Ukraine is not a member of NATO, but borders several nations, such as Lithuania, that are. Article 5 states that an attack on any NATO member would be treated like an attack on them all. In this instance, it does not appear as if Lithuania was attacked, and no injuries have been reported as of time of writing. Still, the drone incident highlights NATO members' proximity to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. What To Know A Russian drone attacking a building in Kyiv, Ukraine, June 17, 2025. A Russian drone attacking a building in Kyiv, Ukraine, June 17, 2025. Efrem Lukatsky, File/AP Photo Residents first reported the drone at approximately 5:55 a.m. local time, per LRT. It sounded "like that in Ukraine where drones fly, a rumbling sound," one resident told the outlet. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė told LRT that the drone may have been one intended for Ukraine, jammed by Kyiv's air defenses. Ukraine's Air Force has said it stopped 309 of 324 attack drones and decoys launched against Ukraine overnight on Monday. One of the drones hit an apartment building in Kyiv, injuring a 3-year-old child and seven other people, per the Kyiv Independent. Lithuanian outlet BNS reported that Vilnius would be adding more defenses to its border following this drone incident, with Šakalienė telling reporters: "We will take additional steps to ensure more effective border monitoring in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and we will use additional military forces for this." She added that there are "no indications" that this drone incident was deliberate. Šakalienė told the media that Belarus is hosting joint Russian and Belarusian military exercises in mid-September for an anticipated 13,000 troops, which could increase the number of cross-border incidents. Russia and Belarus, which borders Ukraine as well as Lithuania, make up the Union State and its leaders signed in late 2024 in Minsk a treaty, which Putin said would allow both countries to use "all available forces and means" as part of the countries' mutual defense obligations. Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka was reelected to his seventh term in January 2025, in an election deemed a sham by Western governments. Fragments of Russian drone and debris on the ground after an airstrike on Kharkiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 7, 2025. Fragments of Russian drone and debris on the ground after an airstrike on Kharkiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 7, 2025. Andrii Marienko/AP Photo What People Are Saying Lithuanian Defense MinisterDovilė Šakalienė told LRT: "Without a doubt, on the one hand, it is really very gratifying that the Ukrainian defense is able to disorient drones that are moving towards them, but those drones with burned brains can wander into all territories, they will, of course, wander into ours and Poland, and cause various consequences." Darius Buta, a representative of Lithuania's National Crisis Management Center told LRT: "There is currently no reliable information about the threat posed by this object. We are trying to find where the drone is, where it may have fallen." What Happens Next An investigation into the drone is ongoing.
Euronews
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Lithuania's defence chief praises campaign about Chinese aggression
A Philippine campaign aimed at exposing what is calls China's aggression in the South China Sea has shattered 'the illusion of China being peaceful and friendly,' Lithuania's defence chief said on Wednesday. Beginning in 2023, the campaign, which Manila calls a "transparency initiative," includes publicising images of China's aggressive actions in the disputed waters. "I believe that, in this case, revealing to the world how China is harassing the Philippine's navy and fishermen of the Philippines in their own waters is very important because it shatters the illusion of China being a peaceful and friendly neighbour," Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said. "It's nothing peaceful when you see water cannons being used against peaceful fishermen and there's nothing peaceful about ramming the ships of Philippines in the territorial waters of the Philippines." Šakalienė expressed support to former Filipino senator Francis Tolentino while in the capital for talks aimed at deepening defence ties between the two countries. Tolentino was sanctioned by China on Tuesday for his strong criticism of Beijing's acts of aggression and for his work on two new laws, which demarcated Philippine territorial zones, including in parts of the South China Sea that Beijing claims. Šakalienė said she and her family had been sanctioned by China and banned from entering the country. "Welcome to the club," Šakalienė said in an interview with a small group of journalists. "Talking about China's crimes is what gets you into the coercion and threats is their usual method of operation," she said. Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Šakalienė's remarks. During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration, which began in mid-2022, the Philippines invited Filipino and foreign journalists to join its coastguard and navy patrols in the disputed South China Sea. They have witnessed an increasingly alarming spike of confrontations in the waters in recent years, with China using water cannons and dangerous manoeuvres to defend its claim to the global trade route. China blames the Philippines for instigating the clashes. A 2016 international arbitration decision invalidated China's claims based on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, but Beijing has rejected the ruling and continues to defy it. Šakalienė claimed that in the Baltic Sea, Chinese ships and crew members have helped suspected Russian fleets damage undersea oil pipelines and data and electricity cables belonging to European countries by dragging their anchors along the seabed. She warned that such acts of sabotage could also be carried out in Asia by China and Russia. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have also been involved in the long-simmering territorial disputes in the South China Sea but they have not been as vocal against China's aggression as the Philippines. The United States does not lay claim to the disputed waters but has repeatedly claimed that it is obligated to defend the Philippines — Washington's oldest treaty ally in Asia — if it comes under an armed attack. Šakalienė warned that it's crucial for countries to band together and fight an emerging authoritarian bloc consisting of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea which she called a threat to democracy.
02-07-2025
- Politics
Lithuania's defense chief praises Philippine campaign exposing China's aggression
MANILA, Philippines -- A Philippine campaign aimed at exposing China's aggression in the disputed South China Sea has shattered 'the illusion of China being peaceful and friendly,' Lithuania's defense chief said Wednesday, urging democratic countries to stand united against an emerging axis of authoritarian countries led by China and Russia. Beginning in 2023, the campaign, which Manila calls a 'transparency initiative," includes publicizing images of China's aggressive actions in the disputed waters. 'I believe that, in this case, revealing to the world how China is harassing the Philippine's navy and fishermen of the Philippines in their own waters is very important because it shatters the illusion of China being a peaceful and friendly neighbor,' Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said. 'It's nothing peaceful when you see water cannons being used against peaceful fishermen and there's nothing peaceful about ramming the ships of Philippines in the territorial waters of the Philippines," she added. Šakalienė expressed support to former Filipino senator Francis Tolentino while in the capital for talks aimed at deepening defense ties between the two countries. Tolentino was sanctioned by China on Tuesday for his strong criticisms of Beijing's acts of aggression and for his work on two new laws, which demarcated Philippine territorial zones, including in parts of the South China Sea that Beijing claims. Šakalienė said she and her family had also been sanctioned by China and banned from entering the country for her strong criticisms of China's aggression and human rights record. 'Welcome to the club,' Šakalienė said in an interview with a small group of journalists, including from The Associated Press, in response to China's sanction against Tolentino. 'Talking about China's crimes is what gets you into the blacklist.' "Pressure, coercion and threats is their usual method of operation,' she said. Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Šakalienė's remarks. During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration, which began in mid-2022, the Philippines invited Filipino and foreign journalists to join its coast guard and navy patrols in the disputed South China Sea. They have witnessed an increasingly alarming spike of confrontations in the waters in recent years, with China using water cannons and dangerous maneuvers to defend its claim to the global trade route. China blames the Philippines for instigating the clashes. A 2016 international arbitration decision invalidated China's claims based on the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, but Beijing has rejected the ruling and continues to defy it. Šakalienė said that in the Baltic Sea, Chinese ships and crew members have helped suspected Russian fleets damage undersea oil pipelines, and data and electricity cables belonging to rival European nations like Lithuania by dragging steel anchors on the seafloor. She warned that such acts of sabotage could also be carried out in Asia by China and Russia. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have also been involved in the long-simmering territorial disputes in the South China Sea but they have not been as vocal against China's aggression as the Philippines. The United States does not lay claim to the disputed waters but has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines — Washington's oldest treaty ally in Asia — if it comes under an armed attack. Šakalienė warned that it's crucial for countries to band together and fight an emerging authoritarian bloc consisting of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea which she said is a threat to democracy.
Hamilton Spectator
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Lithuania's defense chief praises Philippine campaign exposing China's aggression
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine campaign aimed at exposing China's aggression in the disputed South China Sea has shattered 'the illusion of China being peaceful and friendly,' Lithuania's defense chief said Wednesday, urging democratic countries to stand united against an emerging axis of authoritarian countries led by China and Russia. Beginning in 2023, the campaign, which Manila calls a 'transparency initiative,' includes publicizing images of China's aggressive actions in the disputed waters. 'I believe that, in this case, revealing to the world how China is harassing the Philippine's navy and fishermen of the Philippines in their own waters is very important because it shatters the illusion of China being a peaceful and friendly neighbor,' Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said. 'It's nothing peaceful when you see water cannons being used against peaceful fishermen and there's nothing peaceful about ramming the ships of Philippines in the territorial waters of the Philippines,' she added. Šakalienė expressed support to former Filipino senator Francis Tolentino while in the capital for talks aimed at deepening defense ties between the two countries. Tolentino was sanctioned by China on Tuesday for his strong criticisms of Beijing's acts of aggression and for his work on two new laws, which demarcated Philippine territorial zones, including in parts of the South China Sea that Beijing claims. Šakalienė said she and her family had also been sanctioned by China and banned from entering the country for her strong criticisms of China's aggression and human rights record. 'Welcome to the club,' Šakalienė said in an interview with a small group of journalists, including from The Associated Press, in response to China's sanction against Tolentino. 'Talking about China's crimes is what gets you into the blacklist.' 'Pressure, coercion and threats is their usual method of operation,' she said. Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Šakalienė's remarks. During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration, which began in mid-2022, the Philippines invited Filipino and foreign journalists to join its coast guard and navy patrols in the disputed South China Sea. They have witnessed an increasingly alarming spike of confrontations in the waters in recent years, with China using water cannons and dangerous maneuvers to defend its claim to the global trade route. China blames the Philippines for instigating the clashes. A 2016 international arbitration decision invalidated China's claims based on the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, but Beijing has rejected the ruling and continues to defy it. Šakalienė said that in the Baltic Sea , Chinese ships and crew members have helped suspected Russian fleets damage undersea oil pipelines, and data and electricity cables belonging to rival European nations like Lithuania by dragging steel anchors on the seafloor. She warned that such acts of sabotage could also be carried out in Asia by China and Russia. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have also been involved in the long-simmering territorial disputes in the South China Sea but they have not been as vocal against China's aggression as the Philippines. The United States does not lay claim to the disputed waters but has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines — Washington's oldest treaty ally in Asia — if it comes under an armed attack. Šakalienė warned that it's crucial for countries to band together and fight an emerging authoritarian bloc consisting of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea which she said is a threat to democracy. ___ Associated Press journalists Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila in Manila contributed to this report. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lithuania's defense chief praises Philippine campaign exposing China's aggression
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine campaign aimed at exposing China's aggression in the disputed South China Sea has shattered 'the illusion of China being peaceful and friendly,' Lithuania's defense chief said Wednesday, urging democratic countries to stand united against an emerging axis of authoritarian countries led by China and Russia. Beginning in 2023, the campaign, which Manila calls a 'transparency initiative,' includes publicizing images of China's aggressive actions in the disputed waters. 'I believe that, in this case, revealing to the world how China is harassing the Philippine's navy and fishermen of the Philippines in their own waters is very important because it shatters the illusion of China being a peaceful and friendly neighbor,' Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said. 'It's nothing peaceful when you see water cannons being used against peaceful fishermen and there's nothing peaceful about ramming the ships of Philippines in the territorial waters of the Philippines,' she added. Šakalienė expressed support to former Filipino senator Francis Tolentino while in the capital for talks aimed at deepening defense ties between the two countries. Tolentino was sanctioned by China on Tuesday for his strong criticisms of Beijing's acts of aggression and for his work on two new laws, which demarcated Philippine territorial zones, including in parts of the South China Sea that Beijing claims. Šakalienė said she and her family had also been sanctioned by China and banned from entering the country for her strong criticisms of China's aggression and human rights record. 'Welcome to the club,' Šakalienė said in an interview with a small group of journalists, including from The Associated Press, in response to China's sanction against Tolentino. 'Talking about China's crimes is what gets you into the blacklist.' 'Pressure, coercion and threats is their usual method of operation,' she said. Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Šakalienė's remarks. During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration, which began in mid-2022, the Philippines invited Filipino and foreign journalists to join its coast guard and navy patrols in the disputed South China Sea. They have witnessed an increasingly alarming spike of confrontations in the waters in recent years, with China using water cannons and dangerous maneuvers to defend its claim to the global trade route. China blames the Philippines for instigating the clashes. A 2016 international arbitration decision invalidated China's claims based on the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, but Beijing has rejected the ruling and continues to defy it. Šakalienė said that in the Baltic Sea, Chinese ships and crew members have helped suspected Russian fleets damage undersea oil pipelines, and data and electricity cables belonging to rival European nations like Lithuania by dragging steel anchors on the seafloor. She warned that such acts of sabotage could also be carried out in Asia by China and Russia. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have also been involved in the long-simmering territorial disputes in the South China Sea but they have not been as vocal against China's aggression as the Philippines. The United States does not lay claim to the disputed waters but has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines — Washington's oldest treaty ally in Asia — if it comes under an armed attack. Šakalienė warned that it's crucial for countries to band together and fight an emerging authoritarian bloc consisting of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea which she said is a threat to democracy. ___ Associated Press journalists Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila in Manila contributed to this report.
