Army chief: Russian MP’s initiative on Lithuania shows approach of most Russians

“In my opinion, he has expressed not just his approach to us but also the approach of that part of Russia, and that clearly reflects the view that you cannot be independent, that we may recognize [your independence] if we want, or may not recognize. Legally and politically, this is completely mad but it is typical of Russia and most of the Russians to do stupid things,” he told the Ziniu Radijas news radio on Thursday morning.

A draft bill submitted to the Russian State Duma by Yevgeny Fedorov, a member of the United Russia party, calls for repealing the resolution of the Soviet Union State Council “On Recognizing the Independence of the Republic of Lithuania”.

Rupsys stressed that it had been obvious from the very beginning of the military invasion that this was Russia’s war against Ukraine, and not Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine.

“Since the very beginning of the last war in Ukraine, not since 2014, but since February 24, it has been said in Lithuania, Western Europe and the world that this is Putin’s war against Ukraine. This is not Putin’s war, this is Russia’s war against Ukraine, and this initiative by Mr. Fiodorov shows that, unfortunately, not only Putin and not only parliamentarians, but the majority of Russian citizens share an aggressive … attitude toward the Western world,” Rupsys said.

Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stated in a commentary sent to BNS on Wednesday that “only a country run by beasts could have unleashed such a war [in Ukraine] as Russia did”.

“I am therefore not surprised that they do not follow people’s rules in politics, either. And we have to respond accordingly – to be ready to defend ourselves and together with partners, using political, diplomatic or other means,” Landsbergis said.

According to the draft bill submitted by the Russian deputy, the State Duma should repeal the resolution of the Soviet Union State Council “On Recognizing the Independence of the Republic of Lithuania” that was adopted on September 6, 1991.

The Supreme Council – Reconstituent Seimas of Lithuania passed an act on the restoration of Lithuania's independence on March 11, 1990.