Lithuanian minister defense Laurynas Kašciunas warns that Russia's goal may be the emergence of an openly pro-Russian political force in Lithuania.
As reported by “European Pravda”, his statement is quoted by LRT.
This is how Kaščiūnas responded to the results demonstrated by the pro-Russian candidate Eduardas Vaitkus in the presidential elections last week.
In the first round of the presidential elections, Vaitkus received 7.33% of the votes, more than 104 thousand people voted for him.
During the presidential election campaign, Vaitkus advocated the restoration of high-level political contacts with Russia, which started the war in Ukraine, as well as with Belarus. He said Russia did not pose a threat to Lithuania and criticized the country's membership in the European Union and NATO.
"I think the goal may be to create an openly pro-Russian political force for the first time in history," – Kasciunas said.
According to the head of the Ministry of Defense, until now Lithuanian politicians have not questioned NATO membership, tense relations with Russia and the development of the armed forces at the strategic level.
"And now – absolutely openly pro-Russian propaganda from this man,” – added Kasciunas.
He emphasized that it would be useful for the Kremlin to have a party in Lithuania that would overcome the five percent barrier in the Seimas elections and would receive a faction in parliament.
“We need to continue to see how his algorithm of actions will develop here, whether someone will try to join him (Vaitkus. – Ed.), or try to use the capital he has accumulated,” – Kasciunas said.
However, according to the minister, Lithuanian institutions cannot register such a party due to non-compliance with legal acts, if its provisions are anti-state and directed against the democratic order.
By According to him, Lithuania now needs to find out what led to more than 100 thousand people voting for such a candidate.
Vaitkus already announced during the presidential election campaign that he was creating a new political force, but has not yet revealed the details his plan.
The National Security and Defense Committee of the Seimas of Lithuania said it would ask the Department of State Security to evaluate the rhetoric of presidential candidates from the point of view of national security.
Kasciunas previously stated that Russia was able to adapt to sanctions, and the North Atlantic Alliance underestimated its ability to do so.
Prepared by: Nina Petrovich