Pavilionis did not choose words in the Latvian television report: Putin works for Riga and Vilnius, half of Lithuania

“Putin works for Riga”

In early June, a picket by several dozen people at the Latvian Embassy attracted the attention of Latvian television. Your conservator Ž. The flag said it saw the Kremlin’s plan, which Latvia supports.

“There are no experts in Belarus who can say to Lukashenko: ‘You know, don’t build it!’. They don’t follow many minimal recommendations. You see, this is the most important issue for us at the moment. I myself have four children. And They ask me, “Dad, what if something happens there?” And I don’t know what to answer them. Because Vilnius is half of Lithuania. The distance is such that if something bad happens there, we won’t be able to do anything, “Ž said. Pavilion.

In his opinion, without defending itself against the Astrava nuclear power plant, Latvia is defending the interests of Russia.

“I think Putin is working for Riga. What you are doing is in Russia’s interest. And we want to send him the message that when the elections take place with us and we come to power, the entire nation will not have formed a stereotype about Latvians. that they sold us to Moscow! And you sold us in exchange for our lives! “said the activist.

Don’t regret your words

Delphi Ž. Pavilionis said he did not defend his words to Latvian journalists, who could repeat it again.

“I can repeat the same thing, I think that the position that Latvia represents in the negotiations at the moment is basically the position of Russia. It is in the interest of the BREL ring and all its holders to maintain, as far as possible, not only the supply of Russian electricity, but also pave the way for a new Russian product or Rosatom: Astravo electricity to enter our market, “emphasized the politician.

“I really don’t regret my words,” said the politician again.

Asked if Vilnius is really half of Lithuania, Ž. The pavilion emphasized that the numbers speak for themselves.

“Vilnius has a population of almost a million, we and the Latvians talk that if something were to happen, Lithuania would not only have problems, but the wind could blow very calmly, there would be a threat to Daugavpils and beyond.” “Astrava is twice as close to Berlin as Chernobyl,” he explained.

According to the website of the Vilnius city municipality, almost 600 thousand people are registered in the capital. population. In the Vilnius district municipality, some 100,000 more people live. population.

Interviewed on Latvian television, the Latvian ambassador to Lithuania Indulis Bērzinis evaluated the picket as an expression of democracy, but also recalled the upcoming Seimas elections.

“There were 20 protesters or picketers on this side of the street and the police politely asked them to move to the other side of the street, and they did.” There were no conflicts. It was a democratic way of expressing an opinion that we, Latvia, might not agree with. However, like any other opinion, it has the right to exist, “said I. Berzinis.

The ambassador, according to Latvian television, invited the piqueteros to tea, they all expressed their position, but the position of Lithuania, according to the ambassador, is greatly influenced by the upcoming Seimas elections, which will take place in the autumn. Six of the twenty participants in the picket are members of the Seimas.

When asked if he agreed with the assessments that the escalation of the problem was just a political campaign for the upcoming elections, Ž. The flag denied.

“It just came to our attention then. As you know, at Seimas we are absolutely united on this issue, there was not a single vote against, adopting the latest Seimas resolution, which clearly states (electricity, aut. P.) Do not buy at all the European Union as the position of Seimas ”, he assured.

Presidential leadership is lacking

President G. Nausėda’s annual report, which was presented at the Seimas last week, also paid considerable attention to this issue.

The President said that Lithuania had raised and would raise the issues of the unsafe Astrave power plant for the international community, demanding accountability and action.

“It is obvious that this nuclear monster represents a threat not only to the neighbors of Belarus, but also to the entire region. However, our memoranda and letters of local importance will not help each other here. Let’s stand together and talk to the heads of states foreigners and international organizations, because the closure in our yard and the raging shaking of the rag turned out to be completely ineffective, “said Head of State G. Nausėda in Seimas last Thursday.

Ž. Pavilionis stated that the initiative group Sąjūdis v. Astravo NPP unites more than 160 politicians, public figures and scientists.

“We believe that this is a lack of respect not only for Seimas, which is unanimous on this issue.” But also to a whole group of other public figures who have signed a letter asking Mr Nausėda to raise the issue of Astrava in the EU. So is President Valdas Adamkus, who has signed several letters on this subject. We would like the leadership of the President, “Ž. Pavilion.

Policies Delphi He said this is a critical moment.

“Currently, there is a decisive moment when the head of state must defend our law and prevent the flow of large amounts of Belarusian electricity through the territory of Lithuania.” There are different ways: negotiation and diplomacy. There are other technical ways in which we can limit the supply of electricity. And protect your market. But at this point, since the advisers to the Presidency said that Ž. Vaičiūnas is working well and will try to coordinate the lines with Linkevičius. We have a question: what are these lines? ”Said the representative of TS-LKD Ž. Pavilion.

The statements are too radical.

Giedrius Česnakas, an associate professor at the Lithuanian Military Academy (LKA), stated that it would be worth choosing a more diplomatic tone in difficult negotiations. According to him, the pragmatic position of Latvia cannot be denied either.

“The speeches you mentioned may be a bit ahead of diplomatic language. In terms of expression, more diplomatic issues should be emphasized. I would not say so directly that Riga works for Putin. But it seems to me that Latvians, as in other cases They are trying to negotiate something extra and obtain additional economic benefits, “he said.

G. garlic talking to Delphi He recalled that Latvia had acted similarly during the discussions on the NordBalt connection.

“It was as if they had agreed, but they wanted NordBalt to end not in Lithuania but in Latvia, then the European Commission had to step in and allocate funds for the renovation of Latvia’s power grids,” he recalled.

According to G. Česnakas, a common interest with Latvia should be sought.

“But Latvians are pragmatically pursuing a financial interest that would allow them to import and market electricity from Astrava to Latvia.” In Lithuania, the Minister Ž. The agreement reached by Vaičiūnas would limit Lithuania’s ability to buy that electricity. But in principle, until the disconnection and synchronization in 2025, Lithuania should guarantee the technical possibilities for the flow of electricity due to the security of the system itself. But I think a better language should be found with the Latvian brothers.

But they should also listen a little. Because this is not the first time. And, of course, such disputes in the context of timing suggest that there may be trouble again. Perhaps some kind of agreement will be delayed again, some exceptions. Because Latvians clearly seek to maintain import opportunities for economic gain, ” Delphi Mr. Garlic spoke.

He reiterated that Ž. The statements in the pavilion are too radical.

“In hindsight, the Latvian energy sector is closely related to Russia. (…) As far as I know, Latvian MPs have been pressured by interest groups, bribery attempts. Russia has strong economic interests in Latvia, you cannot denying that someone trying to make money may represent a certain interest. But to say so radically that Riga is Putin’s agents is not a good sign, “said the political scientist.

He stressed that the only tool that Lithuania could use in this context was only diplomatic language.

“Latvians have repeatedly pointed out certain problems in Baltic energy cooperation, but we have no other instruments besides diplomatic language. We can be dissatisfied, try to force. But we are a region and dividing that region into other forces is quite easy. And we have what to talk about ” Delphi said G. Česnakas, associate professor at the Lithuanian Military Academy (LKA).

Calls for job coordination

Delphi remember that the Minister of Energy Ž. Vaičiūnas proposes that the government sign a compromise agreement with Latvians and Estonians, according to which the two neighboring countries would not commit not to buy electricity from the Astravas nuclear power plant, but would support such intentions from Lithuania. However, Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius, who is calling for the negotiation of a more ambitious agreement, does not support that option.

President Nausėda calls on ministers to coordinate positions.

Ž. Vaičiūnas states that the draft agreement establishes a system of guarantees of origin and import taxes, but does not oblige Latvia not to buy Belarusian electricity. According to him, such an agreement would be sufficient to implement the so-called “anti-stravical” Lithuanian law.

Lithuania is the biggest critic of the Astrava nuclear power plant and is determined to boycott its access to the electricity market. Minsk denies Vilnius’ criticism of the plant’s insecurity.

The Astravo nuclear power plant could start operating from August.