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Disinfo: Hypocritical Lithuanian political elite maintains anti-Russian position to detriment of the economy

Summary

The statements of the Lithuanian political elites do not coincide with economic reality. Russia is still a major export partner for Lithuania. National business always was interested in cooperation with Russia. But political elites keep the anti-Russian position. They support sanctions to Russia, develop anti-Russian rhetoric.

The political elite of Lithuania is hypocritic. They understand the importance of the Russian market but have no courage to be independent, trying to please others.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about alleged Russophobia in Lithuania.

Statistically, Russia is a major export partner for Lithuania, but in TOP-10 of states, where Lithuania exports goods, 6 countries belong to the EU. The majority of good exported to Russia are not of the Lithuanian origin. In the sphere of import biggest cooperation are with Poland and Germany. In the sphere of facilities, the biggest export partners of Lithuania are Germany and France. Therefore, the main economical partner of Lithuania is the European Union. Lithuania is a member of the EU and trades in its single market. See here, here and here other examples of disinformation against Lithuania related to the economy.

The implementation of the EU sanctions against Russia shows the values of Lithuania and its support for international law and human rights. The imposition of sanctions on Russia was a reaction to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the deliberate destabilisation of Ukraine.

In 2017 Lithuanian Parliament adopted the Magnitsky legislation. This legislation bans entry to Lithuania of foreigners involved in large-scale corruption, money laundering or human rights violation. Russia interprets it as a hostile step from the side of Lithuania.

Pro-Kremlin disinformation frequently misrepresents Lithuania as Russophobic. See similar examples in the statements that Lithuania is afflicted by total Russophobia or that Russophobia is the main export of Lithuania.

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publication/media

Sputnik Lithuania (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 225
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14/12/2020
  • Language/target audience: Lithuanian
  • Country: Russia, Lithuania
  • Keywords: economy, Anti-Russian, Puppets, Russophobia, Sanctions

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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