DISINFO: Russia should economically punish Lithuania for anti-Russian policy
SUMMARY
Russia should terminate trade with Lithuania due to the anti-Russian and Russophobic policy of Vilnius. It would be a signal not only for Lithuania but for Europe too. Moscow's hands are free to behave with Lithuania in a way in which it deserves.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobia in Lithuania.
Lithuania is not a Russophobic state. The Republic of Lithuania established bilateral relations with the Russian Federation in 1991, even before the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Treaty on Fundamentals of Interstate Relations between the Republic of Lithuania and the Russian Federation was signed on 29 July 1991. The mentioned treaty remains in force and “still preserves huge potential for the development of friendly relations between Lithuania and Russia on the basis of international law, historical truth and justice, the sincere acknowledgement of sovereign equality and mutual respect of parties”. Trade relations are mutually beneficial for both states as well as the companies involved.
One of the main causes for the deterioration in the present-day relations between the two states is the awareness of Lithuania about aggressive actions of the Russian Federation against its neighbour countries, like illegal annexation of Crimea. The “National security strategy 2017” of Lithuania notes:
“Capacity of the Russian Federation to use military and economic, energy, information and other non-military measures in combination against the neighbouring countries, ability to exploit and create internal problems of the states located in the Eastern neighbourhood of the Republic of Lithuania as well as preparedness of the Russian Federation to use a nuclear weapon even against the states which do not possess it is a challenge to the security of the Republic of Lithuania and the whole Euro-Atlantic community.”
See similar cases of disinformation about Russophobia and anti-Russia policy of Lithuania: Lithuania is shamelessly attacking Russia; Lithuania is activating its Russophobic policy to please Washington and Brussels; Lithuania is guilty of the bad relations with Russia.