Protest against Russian aggression was held in Vilnius

Today, a protest against Russian aggression and occupation of Crimea was organized at the Russian embassy in Vilnius. In the words of one of the participants, MP Mantas Adomėnas, “it is shameful when historical memory and symbols of military achievements (Ribbon of St. George and the like) are used to feed hatred against the countries that finally liberated themselves from the Soviet slavery.

The country, which is still living on the scraps of imperialistic revanchism, has lost the right to talk about its “liberating” role in World War II, especially when after crossing the Lithuanian border the Soviet army became a murderous and destructive occupier, engaged in war crimes and genocide. That is why the 9th of May should not be celebrated in Lithuania”.

People came to the protest with Ukrainian, Lithuanian, US flags and NATO symbols. Some also had posters with slogans directed against Russian policy and military actions in Ukraine, asking why criminals and torturers deserve higher pensions from Kremlin (a recent decision by Vladimir Putin).

Dmitry Tymchuk’s Military Blog: Summary – May 8, 2014

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

I apologize for posting our summary a little earlier today, for organizational reasons. Hopefully, nothing bad will happen by the end of today. If something good happens–please.

The bad news:

1. In Luhansk and Donetsk, the pro-Russian clowns, who loudly announced themselves as ‘National Councils’ (although ‘alcoholic interest clubs’ or ‘Putin’s money fan clubs’ would be more appropriate) have nevertheless decided to hold their show named ‘referendum on independence’ in these Regions.

Tonight, good people burned to hell over a million prepared blank forms in the printing shops of Donbass. But Moscow has money in bulk. They will print out more.

In general, after the upcoming exacerbation on May 9, [people] should prepare for events after May 11, when this very ‘referendum’ is scheduled. This scenario is known from [events in] Crimea: just under 100% of the population will ‘vote’ for ‘independence’ and Uncle Vova [diminutive for Vladimir Putin] will tend to the ‘protection of people’s will’ thereafter.

If we don’t stop this separatist circus now, it will be much more difficult to do it later.

2. An armored ‘Tiger’ vehicle broke through the border checkpoint from Russia–a ‘gift’ to separatism from [controversial Russian politician, Vladimir] Zhirinovsky. Then, it traveled through Luhansk.

What an outrageous occurrence. But here, I’d like to share our common alarming observations in general.

Yes, the overall reliability of the Ukrainian-Russian border protection in Luhansk and Donetsk Regions is questionable. On the one hand, nobody has cancelled corruption. But a far greater problem is that the border control officers do not have significant forces and capabilities to cope with large extremist groups or, as in this case, with armored vehicles, on their own.

This is–the task for other law enforcement agencies, which should reinforce the ‘border guards.’ If there is no cooperation, then we won’t be able to resolve the border issue.

3. Today, Putin has gathered the Presidents of his satellite countries from the Collective Security Treaty Organization–Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. He decided to show them the ‘Potemkin’ exercises of the Russian troops. They rolled out serious weaponry–a heavy flame thrower system TOS-1. Gave the command to open fire.

And… pshik… zilch. Nothing happened.

If I were a Russian, I would be concerned by the fact that their miracle leader who only has tanchiki [diminutive for tanks] in mind also has a nuclear button. If this maniac, preparing to fight with the whole world, decides to use it, there will be no Urals anymore. Moscow Region will cease to exist, too. For the arms of valiant Russian warriors do not grow out of the same place that all normal people’s arms grow.

The bad thing about this is that Putin doesn’t intend to impress the world with high-tech, efficient farming or Russian culture. This insane individual can do nothing else but rattle a saber. Even if it doesn’t always perform.

The good news:

1. The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Andrey Parubiy has announced that yesterday’s statement by Putin to postpone the ‘referendum’ by Ukrainian separatists–is a political scam.

The Ukrainian government is well aware that Putin’s words are lies backed by nothing else except nefarious plans to lull Kiev’s alertness. And this means that the anti-terrorist operation [ATO] will continue for as long as Ukrainian terrorists don’t rest. In detention center or on the long-suffering land of Donbass.

It’s obvious there is nothing good about Putin’s lie. But the fact that the Ukrainian government doesn’t believe in it, and is ready to continue to save Ukraine–is a definite plus.

2. By lunchtime today, we ended the monitoring of regional preparation for possible provocations that may take place tomorrow, May 9. If the overall forecast is not very reassuring, then it at least gives us hope.

Yes, there are a lot of weaknesses. But in general, the security forces and local authorities have taken measures to ensure that a tragedy like the events in Odessa on May 2 won’t be repeated.

Of course, we can’t make any promises. And we don’t expect that Victory Day will go smoothly. We must be ready for anything–especially those of us in Donbass.

3. On the eve of Victory Day, Russian social media broadcast information that in the Alexander Garden in the Kremlin, the only stele dedicated to the Hero cities in the heart of Moscow that remained without flowers–was the stele of Kiev.

Just a couple of hours after this message, the stele of the Hero city of Kiev was inundated with flowers.

There are adequate people still left in Moscow. Thank you to them. After all, Victory Day is our common holiday. And we, the IR group, would like to congratulate all of you, my brothers and sisters, with it!

And [a couple of words] for the future. We defeated Hitler’s Nazism, and we will defeat Putin’s Nazism.

May 8,2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On May 8th Lithuanian Parliament adopted a resolution for faster ratification of EU association agreement with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. In this resolution members of the Lithuanian Parliament also condemned continuous  attempts of Russia to split territorial integrity of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia states through escalation of internal conflicts and provocations of separatism in order to deter these countries from independent choice of direction in political and economical integration. (Lithuanian Parliament Press Office, BNS, ELTA, 15min, The News radio, unofficial translation)

Petras Auštrevičius, Deputy Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament and Kazys Starkevičius, member of the Lithuanian Parliament on May 10-11th will take part in meetings with the Volodomyr Lytvyn, Deputy Head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security and Defence Policy, Ruslan Koshulynskyi, Vice-Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, members of the Group for Interparliamentary Relations with the Republic of Lithuania. Petras Auštrevičius and Kazys Starkevičius will also take part in meetings with Dmitry Tymchuk (‘Information Resistance’ group), Vitali Klitschko, Leader of the UDAR Party, Mykola Katerynchuk, Leader of the European Party of Ukraine, Ambassador Jan Tombinski, Head of the EU Delegation, Petro Poroshenko, candidate in Ukraine’s presidential elections, and Yuriy Tereshchenko, Acting Director General of ‘Ukroboronprom’. (Lithuanian Parliament Press Office, BNS, ELTA, 15min.lt)

On May 8th, initiated by Lithuania and Ukraine, informational event for OSCE delegations, dedicated to address human rights violation in Crimea took place in Vienna. Giedrius Čekuolis, Lithuania’s Ambassador to the OSCE, stressed that human rights of national minorities, especially Crimean Tatars, situation in Crimea after annexation only got worse. Mustafa Dzhemilev, Leader of Crimean Tatars, which also participated in the event as a guest, expressed his concern that ‘Crimean Tatars are threatened due to their principal position about territorial integrity of Ukraine, boycott of referendum and are called extremists by pro-russian Crimea government.’ (Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs information, ELTA, 15min.lt)

Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic, and Lubomír Zaorálek, Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, refused to attend the Victory Day reception in Russian Embassy in Prague. (delfi.lt, 15min.lt)

On May 7th Jerome Vacher, IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine, said that ‘mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will come to Ukraine at the end of June or at the beginning of July to evaluate state’s economical situation.’ (delfi.lt).

Victoria Siumar, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, in an interview to 15min.lt said that ‘Russia is preparing false referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk on Sunday and there’s a threat that Russia can try to repeat Crimean scenario and try to bring its army into Eastern Ukraine.’ (15min.lt)

Garry Kasparov, chess player and Russian opposition activist warned that ‘grievous days are coming to the world if the Head of Russia won’t be stopped.’ Garry Kasparov also thinks that Russian army isn’t so modern and powerful as Putin says (lrytas.lt). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67849/kasparov-in-vilnius-western-countries-start-to-realize-putin-will-not-stop-in-ukraine-201467849/.

May 7, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On May 7th Mustafa Dzemilev, Leader of the Crimean Tatars, was awarded Solidarity Prize by Poland for respect of civil rights and liberties in Ukraine, especially in Tatar community. (vz.lt, delfi.lt)

Ukraine, during official events dedicated to the anniversary of the ending of WWII, will use European instead of Russian symbols. The Ukrainian Institute of National Memory is calling for the media and civil community to use the red poppy flower as a Ukrainian symbol of traditional celebration of victory over Nazism and the end of World War II in Europe. (lrytas.lt)

On May 7th Ukraine from International Monetary Fund (IMF) got 3,19 billion US dollars as the first part of emergency aid package. (vz.lt, delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, 15min.lt)

Danylo Lubkivski, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in an interview to ru.delfi.lt stressed that in Eastern Ukraine acts Russian saboteurs and agents and that must be called terrorism. He also expressed his gratitude to Lithuanians for their solidarity to Ukraine people. (delfi.lt)

Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of Lithuanian Parliament, on a News radio said that ‘to the use of so-called St. George ribbons in the Ukrainian crisis context, should be viewed with a higher degree of responsibility’. Read more in Lithuania Tribune:
http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67670/public-transport-should-be-free-of-st-george-ribbons-seimas-speaker-201467670/.

Pat Cox, the former President of the European Parliament, in an interview to BNS said that ‘a Cold War has already started between the Western world and Russia, and Western sanctions probably will not alter the behaviour of Russian President Vladimir Putin’ (delfi.lt, 15min.lt). Read more in Lithuania Tribune:
http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67680/pat-cox-russian-lies-implanted-in-many-good-peoples-mind-as-truth-201467680/.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky in an interview to Lietuvos rytas said that ‘if the Russian invasion to Ukraine would be not stopped, the Baltic or the Balkan countries could be the next target‘ (delfi.lt, 15min.lt). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67672/khodorkovsky-baltic-states-may-be-next-target-if-russia-not-stopped-201467672/.

Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council, in his official Twitter said that ‘Further steps in destabilising Ukraine will call for additional sanctions. The EU is ready to take decisions, if needed’.(vz.lt)

Summary of Events, 5th of May

By Dmitry Tymchuk, translated by Voices of Ukraine

Brothers and sisters,

Here’s the Summary for May 5, 2014.

The bad news:

1. Not-suited-to-be-candidate [Oleh] Tsaryov barged in from Moscow (by the way, he flew in with Kremlin envoy Lukin and that speaks for itself), looked in Luhansk, and immediately thereafter the Luhansk regional council headed by self-proclaimed “governor” Bolotov announced a “referendum.” He also demanded from Kyiv to remove troops from the east of Ukraine and to stop the anti-terrorist operation (ATO).

It is not known how much money Tsaryov drew from Putin, but the little Luhansk deputies very accurately reproduced in their appeal earlier ultimatums from Moscow to the Ukrainian authorities. By the way, it remains a mystery exactly how many local deputies supported the bullshit proposed by Tsaryov with Bolotov.

2. Very dangerous things are happening on the border with Russia. The [Ukrainian] State Border Service records the blocking of border checkpoints by pro-Russian extremists.

There haven’t been any attacks yet. But it seems that if the Russian military need a “corridor” across the border, our border guards will have a very hard time.

3. Our servicemen are dying. Today, an “Alpha” soldier who tried to carry a wounded comrade from the line of gunfire, joined the ranks of the dead. He was killed by an explosion from a grenade.
We bow our heads to those fallen for the freedom of Ukraine. Every one of them is a hero.

By the way, yesterday, during a gunfight of the very same “Alpha” with terrorists, seven SBU operatives were injured, whereas 17 terrorists were killed–we determined the exact number of their casualties.

4. According to data from the Odesa regional organization of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, either the Odesa police or the doctors sold the database of people who came to hospitals for medical treatment after clashes on May 2 to pro-Russian separatists.

The pro-Russian vermin immediately began to post the names and addresses of Ukrainian patriots on social networks, dripping saliva and threatening with revenge.

All these cowardly mutts can do is to attack from behind, bite and run off. But it’s dangerous when they attack in packs, and you are alone. I very much hope that the Odesa patriots will be able to mobilize to ensure they won’t get hurt.

Wounded "colorado": no more "Russia, russia", now its "please save me", and even gave up his gun.

Wounded “colorado”: no more “Russia, russia”, now its “please save me”, and even gave up his gun.

 

The good:

1. The ATO continues. Unfortunately, not without oddities.

We do not fully understand the meaning of abandoning the security forces of Kramatorsk. As evidenced by our sources in the city, the terrorists have insufficient forces to capture the city under their control. But instead of a terrorist hell, they throw Kramatorsk adrift in flames of anarchy and the arbitrariness of the local petty criminality. Which isn’t much better.

But … it is better to have a muddy ATO than an extremely clear omission.

2. In Kherson, 36 instigators heading to Odesa from Crimea were detained during a special operation.

Counterintelligence works. And it inspires hope that the bloody scenario imposed by Moscow in the South will nevertheless fail. While it would be better if these visitors are neutralized at the border of the ARC [Autonomous Republic of Crimea] (although, again, [Ukrainian authorities] won’t detain everyone crossing the border–distinguishing Putin’s emissaries from the “tourists” is the task of security services).

3. This news is not so much good but ridiculous. Russian President Putin signed a decree awarding orders and medals to a large group of Russian media.

What a farce. The whole world laughs at these fabulists and mythmakers, who have no relation to journalism. Their crude ability to twist the truth and spread around propaganda pictures intended for a weak mind is pathetic. But Putin appreciates and honors them. Lies, in Russia, today, are an honorable business.

However, personally I thought that at least they are trying so hard for the money. But they serve for food and certificates. Well done.

They ask for Russian troops…

There are lots of pranks about accusations that there is discrimination of Russians in Ukraine.

Message in Russian:

Message in Russian: Putin, help! Save us! I am Russian-Ukrainian, now living in Italy for 13 years. All this time local benderovtcy are forcing us (to write, read and, of course, to speak) on Italian language. There are lots of russians, please send your troops, help Russian-speaking people!

 

May 2, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On May the 1st STRATFOR reported that Lithuania and Poland are working together with Ukraine to establish trilateral partnership strengthening Ukrainian military’s Western orientation and building a closer alliance with Kiev. Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67527/lithuania-and-poland-seek-closer-military-ties-with-ukraine-201467527/,

On May 1st International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that they would be forced to reconsider the size of emergency aid package for Ukraine if the country loses control of the Eastern Region (lrytas.lt, 15min.lt). You can read more in Reuters: http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/05/01/ukraine-crisis-imf-idINL2N0NN0UZ20140501.

On May 2nd Marius Laurinavičius, analyst of Eastern Europe Studies Center, in an interview to lrytas.lt journalist said that ‘according to his calculations there’re about 4000 active mutineers in Eastern Ukraine, from which about 300-400 are sent by Russia.’ (lrytas.lt). You can also read a recently published analysis ‘What will determine Ukraine’s future scenarios?’ by Marius Laurinavičius and his colleagues here: http://www.eesc.lt/news/737/1808/The-Eastern-Pulse-What-Will-Determine-Ukraine-s-Future-Scenarios.html.

Vilija Aleknaitė-Abramikienė, vice-president of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, said that ‘Kremlin and Vladimir Putin itself has to take responsibility for arrested OSCE military observers in Eastern Ukraine’ (15min.lt, delfi.lt). Read more in Lithuania Tribune:
http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67545/responsibility-for-observers-lives-lies-with-kremlin-lithuanian-osce-pa-vice-president-201467545/.

On May 2nd Andrius Kubilius, Leader of opposition of Lithuanian Parliament, on ‘Opposition’ radio programme emphasized the importance of ensuring energy independence in EU and clearly declaring the process of expanding the European Union if it wants to stop Russian aggression. (The News Radio)

On May 2nd Carl Bildt, Foreign Minister of Sweden, in his Twitter account said that ‘so far it is a clear assessment that Kiev’s government has been implementing April 17 Geneva agreement while Russia has not’. (15min.lt).

May 1, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On May 1st Andrius Kubilius, Leader of opposition of Lithuanian Parliament, participated in a solemn Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats Party Congress. He mentioned Ukrainian crisis in his congratulatory speech: ‘A terrorist war, which Putin started in Ukraine is a hopeless war of a dying colonial empire. It could be hard and tragic, but dying empire will lose it eventually. Ukraine is fighting a heroic battle today. The battle is not an easy one against Putin’s aggression and Great Russian chauvinism. But it is a war not only for Ukraine, it is a war for safe future of civilized world and civilized Europe, it is a war which opens eyes to civilized world and reveals what a barbaric aggression of Putin the world has to deal with. That’s why today we can say once more these simple words which all of us got to know so well during the past months: Slava Ukraine!’ (Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats Press Office, delfi.lt, unofficial translation)

On April 30, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a two-year Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for Ukraine. The country will get 17 billion dollars as emergency aid to prevent its economy’s collapse. (International Monetary Fund Press Office, lrytas.lt, delfi.lt, 15min.lt)

On June 9, 7 P.M. Ukrainian chamber choir “CANTEMUS” will perform in Kaunas Cathedral Basilica. Free entry. (Concert organizers info)

Events of April 29th

dmitry_tymchukDmitry Tymchuk, translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Brothers and sisters,

Here’s the Summary for April 29, 2014.

First of all, please forgive me that I “fell out” of the information space–I am now constantly on the move. Once again, we are actively monitoring the situation in the regions, I think tomorrow we will give an IR group statement. The situation is simply breathtaking.

The bad news:

1. Luhansk and Pervomaisk are currently under the flags of pro-Russian extremists. Luhansk Oblast [region] threatens to completely repeat the fate of Donetsk. Kharkiv region is next in line.

If the Ukrainian government initially intended to give up the East, then they should gather all their will into a fist and say one word to Moscow–”take it away!” In the manner of the film character in “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes Profession.”

If there is even a hint of desire to fight for the East, one should not hide that inclination. Show it by doing at least some action. Don’t be shy.

It is necessary to understand that if the vampires under the Russian flag hold their “referendums” (which Vladimir Putin will, of course, immediately admit–otherwise why would he have started all this fuss?), then the fight for the East will be a hundred times harder. Because it will not be a struggle with Russian henchmen, but with Russia itself.

2. Oleksandr Turchynov (acting President of Ukraine) found out the guilty in the separatist Sabbath. He suddenly uncovered (I say, what a prompt epiphany!) “inaction, helplessness, and sometimes criminal betrayal by the employees of law enforcement agencies in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts.” In Turchynov’s words, “this is one of the main causes of low effectiveness and poor performance by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism.”

I can’t understand–is Turchynov using such delicate banter that I cannot decipher it, or did he previously just turn a blind eye? Simple people like Uncle Vasya, a plumber in Zhmerynka and Aunt Dunya, a cleaning lady in Iljichiovsk, have realized the presence of sabotage on the part of security forces on the ground two months ago. And our acting President has identified and revealed this phenomenon just now.

The RNBO sang the same song before Turchynov today. They obviously conspired.

Therefore, instead of starting to urgently solve this problem in the beginning of, or mid-March, the RNBO and the President have bothered to realize its existence only in late April. How could they even start and carry out the anti-terrorist operation, without being properly informed about the situation in the region? It’s some kind of idiocy.

3. According to the data of our Information Resistance group, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, Mariupol and Berdyansk should expect the separatists scenario that has been enacted today in Luhansk. I am not in the least bit optimistic that Ukrainian authorities will react to this threat.

The good news. There’s crazy little of it:

1. U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt said that the U.S. would react instantly to Russian troops crossing into the Ukrainian border, and that the consequences will be dramatic. This post–is primarily in support of our boys from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, now standing along the border with Russia. In front of them–Putin’s armadas, on their butts are Putin’s mutts. The reassuring promises of the West clearly won’t hurt the situation.

2. And yet, the West, without any haste and in no rush, drives Putin into a dead end. “Gazprom” acknowledged that the sanctions could lead to a “loss of confidence of international investors” in the Russian economy. Just yesterday, the Russians mocked those sanctions. Today comes a sobering up. It is a pity that our extremists become intoxicated from permissiveness faster than Putin sobers up.

Andrius Kubilius’ speech ‘European future of Ukraine – a safe future for us’

Speech made by the leader of opposition of Lithuanian Parliament Andrius Kubilius during the press conference on April 2014 (unofficial translation)

Ukraine – in the spotlight

Ukraine stays in the spotlight, not only for us, but for the whole world as well. However, it is not Ukraine‘s fault.

The world faces a huge crisis, but it is not ‘Crisis of Ukraine’. The world faces a crisis, staged by the regime of Putin, phenomenon of aggressive Putinism, the development of ‘Putinist’ chauvinism in Russia. There is no ‘Crisis of Ukraine’, there is no ‘Ukrainian separatism’ – there is a new type of war, started by Putin, armed terrorism supported by Russia, Russia‘s special forces, not some joyful ‘little green men’.

Russia is attempting to fight an intensive informational war, seeking to establish several already familiar phrases in our minds: Crisis of Ukraine (meaning that Ukraine is the one doing something wrong, not Russia), ‘separatists’ (so that everybody speaks of a ‘peaceful’ attempt to separate from Ukraine allegedly held by Ukrainian Russian-speakers rather than Russian special forces and terrorism), ‘little green men’ (sounds like a phrase from animated movie – much gentler compared to ‘Spetsnaz forces’). We must respond to such imposed informational war by strongly expressing the responsibility of Russia for waging a terrorist war in foreign country – Ukraine.

I don‘t know what Putin‘s next moves to stop the election in Ukraine will be, however it is clear now that the regime in Russia isolates itself from the rest of civilized world. Vladimir Putin is driving himself into the trap of self-isolation. Consequences will first be felt throughout Russian economy, and afterwards will inevitably be catastrophic to the regime itself.

We have had several examples throughout the history, when such combination – authoritarian regime, promoting chauvinism of nation by its aggressive ways, in the end isolates itself from the civilized world and that leads directly to the collapse of such regime.

It is obvious, that Russia ruled by Putin has no civilized future, so the fact that Putin himself draws the collapse of it nearer, is no bad news for the future of Russia. At the same time it is not bad news for the civilized world, us among it, because civilized Russia is essential for both ours and Europe‘s security. And that was effectively demonstrated by the regime of Putin.

We have to be grateful for Ukrainian people and current Ukrainian Government, because while they are quietly suffering Russia’s aggression, they manage to remain stoic and civilized at the same time letting the world see the real face of Putin’s regime also increasing the prospect of civilized Russia.

Ukraine and the 10th anniversary of our EU membership

In the shadow of the events in Ukraine, this week will also be important as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our own EU membership. Historically speaking, the fact that we became members of EU and NATO – is a historical miracle, as important as the 11th of March. The importance of this miracle is emphasized by the current geopolitical threats. We can only imagine the way we would feel these days, watching the aggression of Putin‘s regime in Ukraine, if we weren’t members of EU and NATO, with the feeling of security this membership brings us. The soldiers of United States who arrived to Lithuania last week, is something that changes our feelings entirely, and we hope, Putin‘s as well.

The achievements we made over the ten years can be called miracle as well. Though we make mistakes, we still are a rapidly developing country, receiving as well as giving to the whole of Europe. We are the best proof that the decision to expand EU, that was made ten years ago, was wise and brought success for both us and the whole EU. We can celebrate that at that time both EU and US leaders had political courage and will to implement this huge vision.

In the year 2000, while being Lithuanian Prime Minister, I had a chance to contribute to the start of this vision’s realization. I remember well in June of that year, journey barefoot through the dunes of Nida (not burned at that time – editor note in 2006 there was a catastrophic fire in the dunes of Nida) with Gunther Verheugen, the EU Commissioner responsible for expansion at that time. Lithuania was considered lagging in the path of EU membership so we had to put lots of efforts while trying to prove we are capable to catch up. It is great that G. Verheugen, still not appreciated properly at the state level for the miracle he helped to achieve, understood us. As he recently said in one public event held in Berlin, Nida was a place where his ‘large expansion’ plan was born.

As I was informed, he recollected the year 2000 in Nida this way:
‘The idea that all 10 countries could become EU members at once, was born while I was walking in the dunes of Nida together with Lithuania’s Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius. He asked me then, what would happen if the lagging countries would catch up with leaders. Would there be enough political will to accept them together with the countries that were the first to start negotiations. At that point I, as a Commissioner for expansion, decided to seek more ambitious expansion plan’.

Today, in the light of big geopolitical challenges, Europe needs as courageous and visionary solutions. While we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our membership and celebrate it as the 10th anniversary of ours and the whole EU’s success, we must declare that further expansion of EU to the so-called Eastern neighborhood will be as successful. Successful both for Europe as well as for those countries. Maybe this type of expansion will require more time; however the fairest civilized EU response to Vladimir Putin’s barbaric aggression in Ukraine would be Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia memberships’ perspective in European Union.

On the 1st of May, on the occasion of 10th anniversary of membership in EU, The Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats party’s representatives will gather to a special assembly, dedicated for this celebration. It is an important celebration for us, since we consistently striven to turn Lithuania moving towards West rather than East. We are glad we were right and it is unambiguously proved so today, by Mr. Putin.

Our assembly will become an important event, bringing representatives of Center-right parties from countries, which in the same way we did, turned themselves off the empire. Also the ones that are working on it, trying to achieve the same European integration as we currently have. We are hoping for the large number of influential Ukrainian, Moldavian, Georgian, Belorussian guests as well as European People’s Party representatives from Brussels and the Heads of European Parliament.

Before the assembly we plan a particular conference to discuss current challenges brought by the aggressive politics of V. Putin’s regime and our response as the right-wing parties. This type of assembly in Vilnius is part of the consistent execution of active diplomatic efforts of our political party, regardless weather we are governing or in opposition. Our belief is that our diplomatic efforts are very important and significant and sometimes can rival the results of official Lithuanian diplomacy. Today government of Ukraine consists of parties and leaders we consider colleagues of our own political party. Using our diplomatic efforts we had several meetings with them, in Vilnius, as well as in Kiev and Brussels.

On the occasion of our assembly and conference we plan to establish the common informal collaboration network between center-right parties from the countries, which escaped the imperial grip as we had. Thus far this ‘Post-imperial Vilnius network’ will be called relatively nicely EGE – ‘Europe Goes East’.

It would be great if other Lithuanian European political parties, particularly left-wing parties, would follow our diplomatic effort as an example. Today we, Lithuanians, have to take on the responsibility the same way the old Europe’s left- and right-wing parties took after the 90s, when they started educating, training and teaching us about becoming a legal state with European democracy and Parliamentarism. Thanks to them, Lithuania’s post communist left-wing eventually became social democrats.

Now while we work with the right-wing of Ukraine, it is very important that someone would work as intensively with the left-wing, the former Regions party of Ukraine. Because they will win an election in Ukraine eventually, the same way as former communist party of Algirdas Brazauskas did in Lithuania in 1992. It is good that at that point they already had learned enough from Europe’s left-wing. That is why it is essential now, for left-wing of Lithuania, not only the conservatives, to take on the same responsibility to establish European type left-wing in Ukraine.

I congratulate all Lithuanian people and all parties of Lithuania with the 10th anniversary. However I strongly urge and invite all the parties especially social democrats not only to celebrate the labor day, but also to undertake this large European political work for the sake of Ukraine European future, which means safer future for all of us as well.