Felling of historic oak tree sparks outrage in Lithuania as mayor says developer should be fined
May 24, 2023 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — The felling of a healthy century-old oak without permission in downtown Vilnius has caused outrage in Lithuania, with the city's mayor seeking to impose a fine of 141,000 euros on the development company responsible.
Baltics condemn China envoy’s stance on ex-Soviet nations
April 23, 2023 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — The three Baltic states have strongly condemned comments by China’s envoy to France, who appeared to suggest in a recent French television interview that former Soviet republics aren't sovereign nations.
Lithuania seeks compensation from Belarus for migrant crisis
April 6, 2023 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania is seeking up to 120 million euros in compensation from Belarus, accusing its eastern neighbor of orchestrating the immigration of thousands of people, mainly from Africa and the Middle East.
In Baltics, Poland, grassroots groups strive to help Ukraine
February 18, 2023 GMTTALLINN, Estonia (AP) — In a dusty workshop in northern Lithuania, a dozen men are transforming hundreds of wheel rims into potbelly stoves to warm Ukrainians huddled in trenches and bomb shelters. As the sparks subside, one welder marks the countertop: 36 made that day.
Finnish president wants Finland, Sweden in NATO by summer
February 11, 2023 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — The Finnish president said in an interview published Saturday that he trusts that Finland and Sweden will be admitted into NATO by July, and hinted that he wants the United States to put pressure on Turkey to approve their membership bids.
Finnish, Swedish FMs: NATO membership process hasn’t stopped
January 28, 2023 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — The foreign ministers of Sweden and Finland reiterated in separate interviews published Saturday that the process for the two Nordic nations to join NATO is continuing despite Turkey's president saying Sweden shouldn’t expect his country to approve its membership.
Lithuania gas explosion blamed on technical malfunction
January 14, 2023 GMTVALAKELIAI, Lithuania (AP) — A powerful gas pipeline explosion that prompted the evacuation of a village in northern Lithuania was most likely caused by a technical malfunction, the head of the country's natural gas transmission system said Saturday.
Explosion in gas pipeline in Lithuania, no injuries reported
January 13, 2023 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — An explosion occurred Friday in a pipeline in central Lithuania carrying gas to the north of the country and neighboring Latvia but no injuries or significant supply disruptions were reported.
German, Lithuanian lawmakers show support in Taiwan visit
January 10, 2023 GMTTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Lithuanian lawmakers on a visit to Taiwan took aim at China Tuesday, saying the world's second largest economy tried to use all sorts of measures to change Lithuania's decision to break diplomatic norms in warming up relations with the self-ruled island democracy.
Finland gets floating LNG terminal to replace Russian gas
December 28, 2022 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — Finland’s first floating liquefied natural gas terminal was moored Wednesday at the southern port of Inkoo where it will supply gas to the Nordic country that was cut off from Russian gas imports earlier this year amid the war in Ukraine.
EU takes China to WTO over Lithuania trade dispute
December 7, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union announced Wednesday that it has begun legal action at the World Trade Organization against China over what it says are import restrictions Beijing has imposed on Lithuania.
A ‘barbed wire curtain’ rises in Europe amid war in Ukraine
November 17, 2022 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) — The long border between Finland and Russia runs through thick forests and is marked only by wooden posts with low fences meant to stop stray cattle. Soon, a stronger, higher fence will be erected on parts of the frontier.
NATO announces next leaders’ summit will be in Lithuania
November 9, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts will hold their next scheduled summit in Lithuania next July, the military alliance’s top civilian official said Wednesday, as Russia’s war on Ukraine fuels security tensions in Europe and the North Atlantic region.
Russian TV personality Ksenia Sobchak arrives in Lithuania
October 27, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Russian TV personality Ksenia Sobchak — the glamorous daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s one-time boss — has arrived in Lithuania on an Israeli passport after fleeing Russian investigators who raided her home this week, officials said Thursday.
Belarus opposition says fate of country, Ukraine intertwined
September 24, 2022 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The fate of Belarus and Ukraine are “interconnected,” and both countries must fight together to safeguard their very existence because Russia doesn’t view them as independent sovereign states, Belarus' opposition leader said Friday.
Baltics say no automatic asylum for Russians fleeing draft
September 22, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — The three Baltic states say they are not prepared to automatically offer asylum to Russians fleeing mobilization into the military, hoping that discontent with the Russian authorities will grow at home instead.
Baltic nations close borders to Russians over Ukraine war
September 19, 2022 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania closed their borders Monday to most Russian citizens in response to the wide domestic support in Russia for the war in Ukraine.
4 nations bordering Russia to restrict Russian tourists
September 8, 2022 GMTCOPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Four European countries that border Russia will take regional steps this month to limit people from Russia from entering Europe’s visa-free zone by land because they “are increasingly concerned about the substantial and growing influx of Russian citizens.”
Lithuania protest denied, Germany wins in 2OT at EuroBasket
September 4, 2022 GMTCOLOGNE, Germany (AP) — Lithuania unsuccessfully protested its double-overtime loss to Germany at the EuroBasket tournament Sunday, arguing that referees did not award it a free throw following a technical foul in regulation.
No bus, no fuss: Slovenia opens EuroBasket defense with win
September 1, 2022 GMTCOLOGNE, Germany (AP) — The bus that was hired to take Slovenia to its opening game of the EuroBasket tournament never arrived at the team hotel Thursday.
The defending European champions didn’t panic then.
War protest: Statues fall as Europe purges Soviet monuments
August 31, 2022 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) — In the Latvian capital of Riga, an obelisk that soared high above a park to commemorate the Soviet Army’s capture of that nation in 1944 was toppled last week.
Lithuania presses for EU hard line on Russian tourist visas
August 23, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania’s foreign minister said Tuesday that if the EU won’t agree on a visa ban for Russian tourists, he won’t rule out looking for a regional solution that could involve the Baltic states, Poland and possibly Finland.
Latvia, Estonia leave China-backed East Europe forum
August 12, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Latvia and Estonia say they have left a Chinese-backed forum aimed at boosting relations with Eastern European countries, in what appears to be a new setback for China's increasingly assertive diplomacy.
Lithuania won’t argue with Brussels over Kalingrad transit
July 14, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania will not try to reverse a decision by the European Union's executive arm to allow certain sanctioned goods pass through its territory on the way to Russia's Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said Thursday.
Polish and Lithuanian leaders meet troops at NATO bottleneck
July 7, 2022 GMTSZYPLISZKI, Poland (AP) — The presidents of NATO members Poland and Lithuania voiced confidence Thursday that allied troops can fully safeguard a strategically vital corridor, which links their countries, between Russian ally Belarus and a Russian Baltic Sea exclave.
Lithuanian crowdfunding drive gets Ukraine an armed drone
July 7, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania will present a combat drone to Ukraine that was donated by the Turkish manufacturer after a private crowdfunding campaign among ordinary Lithuanians, who raised nearly 6 million euros ($6.1 million) for the purpose within days.
Russian lawmaker: Baltic exclave blockade may fuel conflict
June 29, 2022 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Lithuania’s refusal to allow some goods targeted by European Union sanctions through to Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad could trigger a military confrontation, a senior Russian lawmaker warned Wednesday.
Cyberattack hits Lithuania after sanctions feud with Russia
June 27, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — A cyberattack temporarily knocked out public and private websites in Lithuania, the country's Defense Minister said Monday, with a pro-Moscow hacker group reportedly claiming responsibility.
EXPLAINER: Why Russia-Lithuania tensions are rising
June 22, 2022 GMTNew tensions between Moscow and the West are rising after Lithuania decided to halt the transport of some goods through its territory to the Russian region of Kaliningrad as part of European Union sanctions on the Kremlin.
Russia vows to respond to Lithuania’s ban on goods transit
June 21, 2022 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Lithuania’s decision to bar Moscow from shipping certain goods by rail to Russia's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad will result in a response that will have a “significant negative impact” on the Lithuanian people, a top Russian security official said Tuesday.
Lithuania defends ban on some goods to Russia’s Kaliningrad
June 20, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania on Monday defended its decision to bar rail transit from Russia to a Russian Baltic Sea exclave of goods hit by European Union sanctions, in a move that drew Moscow's strong anger amid high tensions in the region.
3 nations join international team probing Ukraine war crimes
May 31, 2022 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Three more nations on Tuesday joined an international investigation team probing war crimes in Ukraine, and the International Criminal Court prosecutor said he plans to open an office in Kyiv, amid ongoing calls for those responsible for atrocities since Russia's invasion to be brought to justice.
AP Interview: Lithuania FM calls for regime change in Russia
May 9, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Lithuania’s top diplomat said Monday that removing Russian President Vladimir Putin from power is the only way to protect the West and its allies from future threats from Moscow, urging an even tougher stance than the U.S.
Woman forced to land in Belarus gets 6 years in prison
May 6, 2022 GMTLVIV, Ukraine (AP) — A woman who ran a Belarusian opposition messaging app channel and was arrested along with her activist boyfriend when an airliner they were on was forced to land in Belarus was convicted Friday of charges that included inciting social hatred.
US Cyber Command team helps Lithuania protect its networks
May 5, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon's cyber arm says a team spent months working with officials in Lithuania to help protect government networks there from cyberattacks.
The U.S. Cyber Command mission, known as a hunt forward operation, involved a specialized team that worked side-by-side with Lithuanian officials to identify vulnerabilities and root out any malicious cyber activity on the networks of the country's foreign affairs ministry and defense systems.
Presidents from countries on Russia’s doorstep visit Ukraine
April 14, 2022 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The presidents of four countries on Russia’s doorstep visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country, where they saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces.
Lithuania cuts off Russian gas imports, urges EU to do same
April 3, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania says it has cut itself off entirely of gas imports from Russia, apparently becoming the first of the European Union's 27 nations using Russian gas to break its energy dependence upon Moscow.
As Russia sees tech brain drain, other nations hope to gain
March 31, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Russia’s tech workers are looking for safer and more secure professional pastures.
Swedish bank suspected of money laundering in Estonia
March 24, 2022 GMTTALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Swedish lender Swedbank said Thursday it's been informed by Estonian authorities that its local subsidiary is suspected of money laundering in the Baltic country from 2014-2016.
After Ukraine, Europe wonders who’s next Russian target
March 10, 2022 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — For some European countries watching Russia's brutal war in Ukraine, there are fears that they could be next.
Blinken wraps up Baltic assurance tour as Ukraine war rages
March 8, 2022 GMTTALLINN, Estonia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up the last leg Tuesday of a short tour of the three Baltic states aimed at reassuring the former Soviet republics that NATO will guarantee their security as Russia’s war with Ukraine rolls on unabated.
US assures nervous Baltics of NATO protection against Russia
March 7, 2022 GMTRIGA, Latvia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday assured Lithuania and Latvia of NATO protection and American support as he made quick visits to two of the three Baltic states that are increasingly on edge as Russia presses ahead with its invasion of Ukraine.
Cyberattacks accompany Russian military assault on Ukraine
February 24, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Cyberattacks against Ukrainian government websites and affiliated organizations added to the confusion of Russia’s military assault Thursday, including data-wiping malware activated a day earlier that cybersecurity researchers said infected hundreds of computers including in neighboring Latvia and Lithuania.
Ukraine attack leaves Baltics wondering: Are we next?
February 24, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Viewed from Paris, London and Washington, the events unfolding in Ukraine may seem like a new Cold War taking shape in Europe.
US defense chief: Russia ‘uncoiling and poised to strike’
February 19, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin assured the three Baltic nations Saturday that they would not be on their own if faced with security threats from Russia, but he stopped short of promising a permanent deployment of American troops in the former Soviet republics.
Countries ask to join WTO talks over China, Lithuania spat
February 11, 2022 GMTMore countries have asked this week to join talks about the European Union's complaint with the World Trade Organization accusing China of exerting economic pressure on Lithuania.
Australia, Lithuania to unite in countering China pressures
February 9, 2022 GMTCANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The foreign ministers of Australia and Lithuania agreed Wednesday to step up cooperation on strategic challenges, in particular pressures from China.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis and his Australian counterpart Marise Payne met Wednesday at Parliament House.
EU launches WTO action against China over Lithuania dispute
January 27, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union and China on Thursday stepped up their diplomatic dispute as the EU took a spat over exports problems for member state Lithuania to world trade's governing body, and accused Beijing of seeking to undermine the 27-nation bloc's single market.
EU nations urge stronger borders to ease migration pressures
January 21, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Ministers from European Union nations under pressure from unauthorized border crossings asked Friday for more action to protect the bloc’s external borders as well as for rules to return migrants to their homelands or where they started their journeys.
US charges Belarus with air piracy in reporter’s arrest
January 20, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. prosecutors charged four Belarusian government officials on Thursday with aircraft piracy for diverting a Ryanair flight last year to arrest an opposition journalist, using a ruse that there was a bomb threat.
Latvia, Lithuania, Poland rapped over Belarus border methods
January 13, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Latvia, Lithuania and Poland continue to use questionable methods to keep out migrants trying to enter from Belarus and are denying access to aid groups trying to help people stuck in border areas, senior U.N.
Lithuania: Taiwan to set up $1B credit fund amid China spat
January 11, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Taiwan will set up a $1 billion credit program aimed at funding projects by Lithuanian and Taiwanese companies amid economic pressure from China over an office that the island opened in the European Union country, Lithuanian officials said Tuesday.
Beijing accuses US of inciting Lithuania over Taiwan
January 10, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Beijing on Monday accused Washington of inciting Lithuania to “contain China" in a feud over the status of self-ruled Taiwan after U.S. officials expressed support for the European Union-member country in the face of Chinese economic pressure.
China lashes out at US over support for Lithuania
January 6, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China lashed out at the United States on Thursday over its support for the European nation of Lithuania in its feud with Beijing over relations with Taiwan.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Washington was using the Baltic state to “use Taiwan to contain China.”
US, Germany support Lithuania in spat with China over Taiwan
January 5, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Germany on Wednesday backed Lithuania in its spat with China, saying the pressure exerted by Beijing against the tiny Baltic nation was unwarranted,
Lithuania broke with diplomatic custom last year by letting the Taiwanese office in Vilnius bear the name Taiwan, instead of Chinese Taipei, which most other countries use to avoid offending Beijing.
Taiwan pledges to invest in Lithuania amid Chinese pressure
January 5, 2022 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Taiwan is creating an investment fund and planning other measures to help Lithuania as it faces major economic pressure from China for allowing the island to open a representative office in the European Union country, Taiwanese officials said Wednesday.
Poland, Lithuania back Ukraine, urge Russia sanctions
December 20, 2021 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Poland and Lithuania joined Ukraine on Monday to call for stronger Western sanctions against Moscow amid a Russian troop buildup near the Ukrainian border that has fueled fears of an invasion.
Lithuania closes embassy in China after last diplomats leave
December 15, 2021 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania said Wednesday that it has closed its embassy in Beijing and pulled its last diplomat out of the Chinese capital, a move that came amid a spat over the European Union nation allowing Taiwan to open a representative office in its capital, Vilnius.