DISINFO: Lithuania is NATO's dog barking at Russia and Belarus
SUMMARY
Lithuanian politicians cannot have their opinion because Lithuanian politics does not exist as such. Lithuania has the same degree of sovereignty as a stray dog on a chain. In the east of NATO and the EU, Lithuanian political dog is tied to protect the yard. Its freedom is limited to the chain’s length and its freedom of expression is manifested in barking at Russia and Belarus. When the political dog is taken to the oversees farm it starts barking even more out of gratitude.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about lost sovereignty and vassal Baltic states, aimed to discredit Lithuania and other Baltic states. Lithuania is an independent state, which makes sovereign decisions about its foreign and domestic policy. NATO's increased presence in the Baltic Sea region has been a request of the Baltic states. Following Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia requested a greater NATO presence in the region. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that the US is occupying the EU and the Baltic countries nearly lost their statehood, that Lithuania is a hostage of the American interests in Eastern Europe, and that Lithuania is temporarily NATO-occupied territory ruled by non-Lithuanians.