Lithuania marks 33 years since Soviet troops left as Sinkevičius stresses freedom’s importance

Lithuania is marking 33 years since the last Soviet occupying forces left its territory, with Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius using the anniversary to stress that freedom must be actively protected.

In a message of congratulations, Sinkevičius recalled that the final Soviet military unit departed Lithuania shortly before midnight on August 31, 1993. He said the country’s freedom and restored independence then became a reality that no foreign power could deny, and called for remembrance of those whose courage, persistence and faith in Lithuania helped bring about the historic event.

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Freedom was not given to us as a gift. Our people won it. Therefore, protecting Lithuania's freedom is our duty and responsibility.

“Freedom was not given to us as a gift. Our people won it,” Sinkevičius said. He described safeguarding Lithuania’s freedom as a duty and a responsibility.

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Lithuania is strengthening its defense, bringing allies together and working with Ukraine to ensure that aggression does not become a means of redrawing Europe's borders.

The prime minister also connected the anniversary to Russia’s war against Ukraine. He said the conflict had again shown that peace and freedom are not automatic. Lithuania, he said, is strengthening its defense, bringing allies together and working with Ukraine to ensure aggression cannot be used to redraw Europe’s borders.

Lithuania declared independence on March 11, 1990. Before the Russian troops withdrew, about five divisions were stationed in the country, comprising roughly 34,500 soldiers, 1,000 tanks, 180 aircraft and 1,900 armored vehicles. Sinkevičius urged Lithuanians to protect and build freedom through daily work and pass it on to future generations.

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Freedom is our strength. Let us protect it, build it through our daily work and pass it on to future generations.