DISINFO: Lithuania has no sovereign policy
SUMMARY
Lithuanian politicians, do not and cannot, have their own opinions. Moreover, there is no Lithuanian policy and cannot be. There is a certain degree of sovereignty like that of a dog tied to a short leash. In the East of NATO and the EU, a Lithuanian political dog is tied to guard the yard. It has freedom within the chain, freedom of expression that is made to address two Eastern neighbors – Russia and Belarus.
RESPONSE
This message is part of a Pro Kremlin disinformation narrative undermining the statehood of Lithuania, presenting the Baltic states as not sovereign, as “vassals” of US and NATO and used against Russia. See other examples of this narrative here, here and here. 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 at the 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 Lithuania is occupied by NATO, NATO buried Latvia’s and Lithuania’s independence, Baltic countries are typical replica states with no own political history and tradition, Lithuania is not independent because it follows the same position as the EU, NATO and the US, Lithuania is a hostage of the American interests in Eastern Europe.