DISINFO: Political regime in Lithuania is Russophobic
SUMMARY
People in Lithuania are humiliated by political parties and coalitions.
Lithuanian foreign policy denies any initiatives of peaceful coexistence with Minsk and Russia. Today Lithuania is a country-saboteur in Eastern Europe. It is absolutely stuck in anti-Russian and anti-Belarusian politics […]
Changes are possible only after the bankruptcy of the current Lithuanian regime.
RESPONSE
The message is linked to political changes in Lithuania after the 2020 parliamentarian elections but uses a broader context accusing the Lithuanian authorities of Russophobia and anti-Belarusian policies.
One of the narratives attacks the “Lithuanian political regime” in general. It is portrayed as anti-popular and repressive by its nature. This statement is not backed up with any evidence. In the ranking Freedom of the World (by Freedom House) Lithuania is defined as a free country. Its score is 91 points (from 100). In comparison, Russia gains only 20 points in this ranking and is classified as not free.
The article also contains another disinformation narrative accusing Lithuania of implementing an anti-Russian (and anti-Belarusian) policy. In the broader context, this is linked to the Lithuanian authorities' critical evaluation of Russian aggression against Ukraine as well as its support for citizens movements against the authoritarian regime in Belarus. Kremlin propaganda has traditionally accused Lithuania of Russophobia. See similar cases here and here.
Lithuania is often portrayed (together with Poland and other Western countries) as an organiser and coordinator of the protests in Belarus. See examples here, here, and here.
There is no evidence that Lithuania or any other Western governments are involved in any way in the protests in Belarus. Large-scale protests began in Minsk on August 9 against the results of the presidential election, and then in other cities. People revolted against election fraud and police violence towards thousands of rally participants.