News

On 24-25  March, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys is on a working visit to the United States.

In Washington, D.C., the Minister, together with the Foreign Ministers of Latvia and Estonia, met with the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During the meeting, the heads of diplomacy of the Baltic states and the US discussed Russia's war against Ukraine, transatlantic security, and economic and energy cooperation issues.

At the meeting, the Minister stated that Lithuania and the US are united by common interests and long-term cooperation based on trust. According to Budrys, Lithuania, like the US, speaks the language of facts and figures and is an exemplary ally.

“We are a small country, but a very tough nation, ready to do everything for the security and independence of our country. We do not engage in rhetoric, but take action. Since 2014, Lithuania has increased its defence budget tenfold. This year, we are spending 4% of GDP on defence, and next year this figure will exceed 5%. We have brought back the national army division, renewed and modernised the armaments. We call on our European allies to take responsibility for their security and boost defence spending,” said the Minister.

The head of Lithuania's diplomacy emphasized that Lithuania appreciates the US contribution to the security of our country and region. Budrys said that we are pleased to host US rotational battalions in Lithuania and underlined that we are ready to accept more US troops. The Minister emphasized that Lithuania had invested in infrastructure and provides the best conditions for the US troops to train and live in our country.

Budrys stressed that Lithuania supports a new NATO defence spending target of 3.5% of GDP, as effective defence is impossible without proper investments. The Minister also underlined that Lithuania supports more flexible European acquisitions from transatlantic partners in line with the ReArm Europe Plan.

The meeting also discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Minister emphasized the need to achieve sustainable and lasting peace in Ukraine, as well as not to give the aggressor anything for which he had started the military aggression. Budrys stated that Lithuania is ready to participate in all initiatives that politically, economically, and militarily strengthen Ukraine.

The Foreign Ministers of the Baltic States and the US discussed cooperation in the energy sector. Budrys underlined that Lithuania achieved full energy independence from Russia and was the first country in Europe to fully phase out Russian gas and oil.

According to the Minister, Lithuania is interested in buying more LNG from the US and encourages partners in Europe to do so, thereby reducing dependence on Russian energy resources.

It was the first time that Minister Budrys met with the US Secretary of State, but the head of Lithuanian diplomacy spoke with M. Rubio by phone in January when he took office.

The agenda of the Minister's bilateral meetings in the U.S. capital also includes meetings with the U.S. policy makers, representatives of non-governmental organizations and journalists. This is the second visit of Minister Budrys to Washington. The first one took place in early February.