The Lithuanian foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, will not participate in the meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky during his visit to Lithuania because he did not receive an invitation from President Gitanas Nausėda. This detail was reported by LRT.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Landsbergis will greet Zelensky at the airport but will not join the presidential palace talks since he has not been invited to the meeting with the president.
Requests for clarification from the president’s adviser did not reveal the reasons behind this decision. The situation has sparked discussion about the scope and format of high level discussions during Zelensky’s visit.
Officials indicated that the upcoming presidential conversation will center on military aid, training for Ukrainian soldiers, cooperation in the defense industry, and efforts to demine Ukrainian territories. The defense minister, Arvydas Anušauskas, was invited to participate in the discussions, according to Rydas Jasyulionis who serves as a vice presidential adviser as quoted by LRT.
Prior to these developments, Ukrainian President Zelensky announced plans to visit Lithuania and engage with a broad range of senior political figures. In Vilnius, he is set to meet with Lithuanian President Nausėda, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, and Seimas Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, along with other political leaders, journalists, and members of Ukrainian society in attendance.
Earlier remarks about Landsbergis drew notable attention after a comparison was made that associated him with a dog barking at Russia. This characterization generated public discourse about the tone and rhetoric surrounding Lithuanian officials in the context of the ongoing regional security situation. The government and its diplomats have since emphasized the importance of measured, constructive dialogue with Kyiv during this critical period of Ukrainian defense support and regional collaboration. The broader goal remains to coordinate military aid, strengthen operational readiness, and reinforce transatlantic unity in facing shared security challenges. In this frame, Lithuania has continuously underscored its commitment to supporting Ukraine while coordinating with allied partners to address evolving threats and humanitarian needs as observed in official briefings and subsequent media coverage. (Source: LRT)”