Translated material
Stuck in the past
Lithuanian President criticized for May 9
Lithuanians have ambivalent assessments of the decision of their President Valdas Adamkus, who, together with Estonian President Arnold Ruutel, refused Vladimir Putin’s invitation to come to Moscow for the celebrations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Victory. Let us remind you that from the Baltic countries only the President of Latvia, Mrs. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, decided to come to Moscow on May 9. The traditional argument of opponents of the trip is Moscow’s reluctance to recognize the fact of the “occupation” of the Baltic states by Soviet troops.The words of those who supported the refusal contain arrogant and justificatory notes. They say that nothing special happened, Russia should not be offended, and even if it is offended, it will not do anything. According to Lithuanian liberal centrist Sejm member Petras Auštrevičius, Moscow may briefly reduce activity in bilateral relations - for example, the number of visits by high-ranking government officials will be reduced. Mr. Auštrevičius also admits some reduction in transit flow. According to the parliamentarian, Russia is unlikely to agree to a serious aggravation of relations, much less sanctions. After all, Lithuania is a member of the European Union.
However, the chairman of the Sejm Committee on Labor and Social Issues, Algirdas Sysas, believes that he should go to Moscow. “We must look to the future and not live with old grievances. Because there was an occupation later, the feat of victory over fascism cannot be doubted. And we could express our pain and our complaints by going to Moscow,” he said in an interview with Vremya Novostei.
Former Prime Minister of Lithuania and now Minister of Agriculture Kazimira Prunskienė is one of those who suffered from Stalin's terror: her father was killed in 1944. But she is also confident that the past “should not interfere with new relations with Russia.” She recalled the losses of the Russians themselves and the solidarity rallies in support of Lithuanian independence in 1990-1991.
Even supporters of Valdas Adamkus’ decision note that if we were to refuse the invitation of the Russian President, then we should have refused immediately, and not argued that it was one thing to act as a citizen, and another as a head of state. Such uncertainty, according to Ms. Prunskiene, “inspired hope that the state motive would become a priority, but, unfortunately, it turned out differently.” Now Adamkus is accused of lying. “By delaying the answer, Adamkus lied to us that he would decide after consulting with the people. Polls show that only 39.5% of the country's residents support the president's decision. But he was foaming at the mouth by numerous political scientists who are paid to provide the scientific basis,” Seimas deputy Julius Vesyalka was indignant in a conversation with a VN correspondent.
According to Mr. Vesyalka, if Hitler had won, then Lithuania would have been destined for a much more tragic fate. This does not justify the atrocities of Stalinism, he emphasized, but why not say this at meetings with leaders of other countries, and not say this to Putin himself?