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Image: Michal Dyjuk/AP Photo/picture allianceImage: Michal Dyjuk/AP Photo/picture alliance

Lithuania

Lithuania is one of three Baltic states in northeastern Europe. It has a border with the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and is a key member of NATO's eastern flank.

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All Content on this topic

Dokus KW 33

Dokus KW 33

Hunger for power — the Baltic states in Putin's shadow

The Baltic states regained independence more than 30 years ago.

Vilija Blinkeviciute speaks to the media and supporters during a postelection event

Vilija Blinkeviciute speaks to the media and supporters during a postelection event

Lithuania's Social Democrats look to bolster security

A center-left Cabinet and center-right opposition should ensure that Lithuanian politics stay mostly the same.

A local resident walks to cast their ballots at a polling station during a second round of voting in the parliamentary election on October 27, 2024

A local resident walks to cast their ballots at a polling station during a second round of voting in the parliamentary election on October 27, 2024

Lithuania: Opposition Social Democrats win election

Lithuania's Social Democratic Party wins parliamentary elections and looks forward to coalition talks.

A woman at a polling station in Vilnius, Lithuania

A woman at a polling station in Vilnius, Lithuania

Lithuania election: Social Democrats lead in early results

The opposition Social Democrats are ahead after the first round of voting in Lithuania.

Construction of Rail Baltica tracks from the Baltics to Warsaw and Berlin

Construction of Rail Baltica tracks from the Baltics to Warsaw and Berlin

Rail Baltica: Connecting the Baltics states to Europe

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are investing billions in a new rail project linking them to the EU.

Germany is among the NATO allies sending soldiers to beef up Lithuania's border security.

Germany is among the NATO allies sending soldiers to beef up Lithuania's border security.

German soldiers help beef up Lithuania's defense

Lithuania is among the states feeling most vulnerable since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Concrete blocks, so-called dragon's teeth near Latvia's border with Russia.

Concrete blocks, so-called dragon's teeth near Latvia's border with Russia.

Baltic states build border defenses against Russia

With the war in Ukraine in its third year, Russia's Baltic neighbors are preparing for a potential war on home soil.

A sign and heavy equipment seen at Rudninkai, Lithuania

A sign and heavy equipment seen at Rudninkai, Lithuania

Lithuania begins construction of Germany's military base

The NATO-country site is situated near Lithuania's border with Russian ally Belarus.

Litauen | Frachtzüge an der Grenze im Bahnhof Kybartai auf dem Weg nach Kaliningrad

Litauen | Frachtzüge an der Grenze im Bahnhof Kybartai auf dem Weg nach Kaliningrad

Rail Baltica: Linking Baltic states with European network

Several Baltic states want to connect their rail networks facing political and construction challenges and rising costs.

Lithuanian soldiers in training stand in formation as they hold automatic weapons

Lithuanian soldiers in training stand in formation as they hold automatic weapons

Lithuanian extends term of military conscription

Lithuania's has extended its compulsory military service to 12 months as part of its conscription reforms.

Artillery shells in a factory

Artillery shells in a factory

Baltics join the ammunitions race

The Baltic states are setting up their own ammunition factories to be ready in case of a potential attack from Russia.

Gitanas Nauseda speaking into reporters' microphones, smiling

Gitanas Nauseda speaking into reporters' microphones, smiling

Lithuanian President Nauseda: A socialist and moralist

Long seen as a lightweight, the recently reelected President Gitanas Nauseda is now Lithuania's most popular politician.

Doku Im Einsatz für die NATO

Doku Im Einsatz für die NATO

Defending NATO borders in Eastern Europe

Keeping the war in eastern Europe away from NATO borders is one of the German Bundeswehr’s jobs.

Voters queue at the polling station during the advance presidential elections in Vilnius, Lithuania, Thursday, May 9, 2024

Voters queue at the polling station during the advance presidential elections in Vilnius, Lithuania, Thursday, May 9, 2024

Lithuania: Nauseda and Simonyte head to presidential run-off

Incumbent Gitanas Nauseda will face a run-off vote against Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets German troops at Pabrade

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets German troops at Pabrade

Scholz vows Germany's 'unwavering' support for Baltics

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's comments came on a visit to Lithuania, where German troops are to deploy permanently.

European Commission chiefg Ursula von der Leyen (L) and Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo hold a joint press conference at the Lappeenranta airport, eastern Finland, on April 19, 2024

European Commission chiefg Ursula von der Leyen (L) and Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo hold a joint press conference at the Lappeenranta airport, eastern Finland, on April 19, 2024

Finland urges EU to help end migrant influx from Russia

Helsinki has accused Moscow of weaponizing migration to settle a score with the new NATO member.

Leonid Volkov, Berater von Alexej Nawalny

Leonid Volkov, Berater von Alexej Nawalny

Leonid Volkov: 2 held in Poland over attack on Navalny aide

Kremlin critic Leonid Volkov was injured by hammerblows last month in Lithuania, where he lives in exile.

Russian singer Philipp Kirkorov

Russian singer Philipp Kirkorov

Top European court upholds Lithuania's ban on Russian singer

Lithuania accuses the entertainer of being a "soft power" tool for Russia's propaganda in former Soviet states.

German soldiers landing in Lithuania

German soldiers landing in Lithuania

Germany sends first soldiers for permanent Lithuania force

Germany is setting up a military base in Lithuania intended to deter Russia from further attacking its neighbors.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius arrives for a group picture with the soldiers next to a military airplane

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius arrives for a group picture with the soldiers next to a military airplane

First German soldiers deployed to Lithuania

Bundeswehr soldiers are now stationed in Lithuania, the first permanent deployment abroad since the end of World War II.

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'Hard way' ahead for €100 billion NATO Ukraine fund plan

NATO's planned €100 billionn support package for Kyiv may still face obstacles, Lithuania's Landsbergis told DW.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte (l) und German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (r) in Berlin

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte (l) und German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (r) in Berlin

Lithuania warns against 'self-imposed red lines' on Russia

In a DW interview, the Lithuanian prime minister called on Ukraine's allies to maintain a credible deterrent to Russia.

View of a police car standing at the scene where Leonid Volkov was attacked outside his home

View of a police car standing at the scene where Leonid Volkov was attacked outside his home

Putin critic Volkov defiant after attack

Activist Leonid Volkov, former chief of staff to Alexei Navalny, was attacked outside his home in Vilnius.

Leonid Volkov seen at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2022

Leonid Volkov seen at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2022

Navalny ally Leonid Volkov attacked near home in Lithuania

Lithuanian police launched in investigation into an attack on prominent Russian opposition leader Leonid Volkov.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is seen speaking on stage

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is seen speaking on stage

Scores of European decision-makers on Russia's wanted list

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is the highest-ranking politician on the Russian Interior Ministry's wanted list.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visits Bundeswehr soldiers in Rukla, Lithuania.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visits Bundeswehr soldiers in Rukla, Lithuania.

Germany to station troops in Lithuania

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has signed a deal to permanently station Bundeswehr soldiers in Lithuania.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visits NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group of German troops in a snowy forest in Lithuania

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visits NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group of German troops in a snowy forest in Lithuania

German brigade in Lithuania set to be combat ready in 2027

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius says a plan to permanently deploy a German brigade in Lithuania is a "historic moment."

People search through debris for survivors after a rocket attack in Kramatorsk, Ukraine in February 2023

People search through debris for survivors after a rocket attack in Kramatorsk, Ukraine in February 2023

How will the Hamas-Israel conflict impact war in Ukraine?

'In both cases...people think that they can just brutally, by force, rewrite the rules," said Lithuanian PM Simonyte.

A man puts a new vehicle registration plate on his car

A man puts a new vehicle registration plate on his car

Baltic states shut borders to Russia-registered cars

The ban, which came in response to updated EU guidlines on sanctions, could widen to include other countries.

Litauen Sumskas Grenzübergang Belarus

Litauen Sumskas Grenzübergang Belarus

Belarus increasingly isolated as tensions rise at EU border

EU nations neighboring Belarus are ramping up border security, arguing Wagner mercenaries pose new threats.

An archive photo of a man being moved to a vehicle by Poland's special services in Warsaw on October 15, 2014

An archive photo of a man being moved to a vehicle by Poland's special services in Warsaw on October 15, 2014

Poland arrests Belarusian accused of spying for Russia

Sixteen people who were allegedly spying for the Kremlin have now been detained in Poland.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (center, hand raised) greets cheering supporters in Vilnius, Lithuania, alongside his wife Olena (left), Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda (right) and First Lady Diana

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (center, hand raised) greets cheering supporters in Vilnius, Lithuania, alongside his wife Olena (left), Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda (right) and First Lady Diana

NATO summit: No Ukraine entry timeline, Turkey backs Sweden

NATO members say they want Ukraine in the alliance when the time is right, and Turkey drops opposition to Sweden

Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during a press conference

Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during a press conference

Germany to station 4,000 troops in Lithuania

Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda has been calling for a stronger NATO presence in his country.

A German soldier seen in an armored vehicle during a military exercise at the Pabrade training ground in Lithuania.

A German soldier seen in an armored vehicle during a military exercise at the Pabrade training ground in Lithuania.

Germany to station 4,000 troops in Lithuania

Vilnius has repeatedly called on Berlin to deploy combat troops to the country, which borders Russia's Kaliningrad.

Till Lindemann with painted face singing on stage, with a red backdrop

Till Lindemann with painted face singing on stage, with a red backdrop

Rammstein won't be investigated in Lithuania

Police in Vilnius said they will not investigate the band over sexual abuse allegations.

A German soldier seen in an armored vehicle during a military exercise at the Pabrade training ground in Lithuania.

A German soldier seen in an armored vehicle during a military exercise at the Pabrade training ground in Lithuania.

Aggressive neighbors? NATO exercise underway in Lithuania

With Lithuania urging NATO to bolster Baltic defenses, Germany may soon permanently station a brigade in the country.

graphic of a butterfly planet in space

graphic of a butterfly planet in space

Bill McKibben, contentious coal & new seasons

We talk to author Bill McKibben, travel to Columbia's biggest coal mine & hear about Lithuania's unrecognizable seasons.

Large red and white STOP sign on a barrier in the foreground. In the background, flat countryside and two men walking in camouflage uniforms and peaked caps.

Large red and white STOP sign on a barrier in the foreground. In the background, flat countryside and two men walking in camouflage uniforms and peaked caps.

Lithuania legalizes pushbacks

On Wednesday, Lithuania enshrines pushbacks in law. The move has been criticized, but is not without precedent.

Fighting in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut

Fighting in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut

China must position itself over Ukraine: Lithuania president

Gitanas Nauseda has told DW that Beijing needs to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

EU and Chinese flags

EU and Chinese flags

China distances itself from envoy comments after EU outrage

China's ambassador to France caused uproar by questioning ex-Soviet states' sovereignty. What's next for EU-China ties?

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius visits NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group of German troops in Lithuania on March 7,2023.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius visits NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group of German troops in Lithuania on March 7,2023.

Germany says troop deployment in Lithuania up to NATO

Germany said the matter of permanently deploying German troops in the NATO eastern flank is up to the alliance.

Boris Pistorius meets German soldiers in Rukla, Lithuania

Boris Pistorius meets German soldiers in Rukla, Lithuania

Germany's defense minister visits NATO member Lithuania

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visits Lithuania, where he will hold talks with the country's leaders.

Nato soldier in front of a tank

Nato soldier in front of a tank

More NATO members pushing for higher defense spending

In the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine, some NATO members are calling for more ambitious goals for defense spending.

Explosion at gas pipeline in Lithuania

Explosion at gas pipeline in Lithuania

Lithuania gas pipeline explodes, nearby village evacuated

The explosion occurred in northern Lithuania, with no victims reported so far.

Russian media figure Ksenia Sobchak

Russian media figure Ksenia Sobchak

Ksenia Sobchak: Putin's goddaughter flees to Lithuania

The popular media figure, who has often been critical of Putin, flew to Lithuania a day after police searched her home.

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht walks by a Lithuanian guard of honor

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht walks by a Lithuanian guard of honor

NATO 'must do more,' German defense minister says

Germany's defense minister said that NATO must "do more" in the face of Putin's "delusions of grandeur."

Alexander Lukashenko speaks in a meeting as others sit around a table

Alexander Lukashenko speaks in a meeting as others sit around a table

Belarusian propaganda targets Poland

Historical resentments are being stirred up, with leader Belarusian Alexander Lukashenko suspecting subversive agents.

Lenin statue in Vilinius being toppled

Lenin statue in Vilinius being toppled

Lithuania topples last Soviet monuments

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the country's remaining Soviet-era monuments are under increased scrutiny.

Interview with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis

Interview with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis

EU could give Russians 'humanitarian' visas only: Lithuania

Speaking to DW, Lithuania's foreign minister reiterated support for the idea of an EU visa ban for Russian tourists.

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, rescuers work on a scene of a damaged building in Vinnytsia, Ukraine

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, rescuers work on a scene of a damaged building in Vinnytsia, Ukraine

Zelenskyy calls missile strike 'act of terrorism'

At least 20 people were killed in an attack Ukraine's president called an act of terrorism.