Last day as Foreign Minister
Dear friends,
The clock has been ticking since the elections, today is the final hour. My super interesting four years as Lithuania's foreign minister have come to an end, but the global fight for freedom goes on.
In 2020 at the height of the pandemic I began my work in the Foreign Affairs Ministry not knowing what would be around the corner. One of my initial goals was to limit the operational space of the regimes that are unfriendly to us and our friends.
Well, I didn’t know what a hot topic that would become.
Belarus, Russia, China, later Iran and North Korea joined to form the Axis of Chaos, not only encroaching on, but actively disrupting the everyday lives of people in Western countries, including mine.
And then the War. The West was shocked, challenged, and still doesn't believe in victory. Democracies, with all their power, ability, innovation and strength are acting like they are besieged and weakened, not like they are fighting a decisive battle against dictatorship.
I wish my successor Kęstutis Budrys the strength and patience needed to maintain Lithuania’s lead as a loyal transatlantic partner and flagbearer for democracy.
It has been an honor and a privilege to take part in this fight as a foreign minister, but it is also true that in every ending there is a beginning. I cannot fully disclose what my next beginning will be, but I can tell you that the fight of our lives is not over, and victory is within our reach.
I will be giving my support first and foremost to Ukraine, but also other frontline countries. You will find me alongside Moldova, side by side with the Georgian and Belarusian people, striving for a peaceful and European future. You will find me supporting Taiwan in their struggle, and reminding our friends and allies in the powerful West what happens if we give up the fight for freedom.
I am not leaving, I will be staying with you, here at the front line. I will continue my advocacy, open new channels, reach out, point out, and shout out if necessary.
More specifically, my diaries are being edited for publication and I am collecting my memoirs and thoughts on diplomacy in times of war. I will drop a preview soon, so let’s keep in touch. Join my newsletter, stick to your principles and we will all keep fighting until we meet at the victory celebrations.
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