Social Democrats' Foreign Policy Criticized for Prioritizing Profit Over Principles

Lithuanian Social Democrats are accused of a "poverty" in foreign policy, prioritizing potential economic gains over established principles, particularly concerning Belarus and China.

The party is criticized for seeking dialogue with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and facilitating Belarusian fertilizer transit, allegedly masking a desire for private profit and legalization of personal interests. This pursuit, the article contends, comes at the expense of Lithuania's long-standing deterrence policy against Minsk, which was built on EU sanctions. The Social Democrats have already abandoned their containment policy by asking Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to leave Vilnius.

Furthermore, the party is reportedly discussing the restoration of diplomatic relations with China, publicly considering concessions in hopes of economic benefits. This stance is contrasted with the EU's efforts to develop trade defense measures and the U.S.'s Cold War-era containment doctrine against China, coupled with increased military support for Taiwan. The article labels the Social Democrats' approach as an attempt to "normalize" relations with the Chinese communists.

Candidate for Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius is quoted as saying, "When evaluating and adopting various foreign policy steps, we start not by manipulating values, but by calculating: investments and benefits, economic cooperation, meeting business needs..." This is compared to former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, whose name became synonymous with political corruption, open lobbying, and dependence on authoritarian regimes. The author warns that what appears economically beneficial may not always serve the state's interests.

The article also questions the Social Democrats' engagement with international affairs, noting their focus on knowing "what is happening not only across the Atlantic but also between EU, NATO partners." However, it suggests they have shown a tendency to merely observe and comment rather than influence decisions. Despite efforts to "normalize" ties with China, they have not publicly challenged the U.S. role in Lithuania. The piece concludes by noting Europe's move towards a new security architecture, with discussions on strengthening the European pillar of NATO, forming European defense communities, or creating regional coalitions, questioning where the Social Democrats stand on these critical developments.

“

When evaluating and adopting various foreign policy steps, we start not by manipulating values, but by calculating: investments and benefits, economic cooperation, meeting business needs...