Stone in Vilnius' Washington Square to Remember Lithuanian-U.S. Historical Ties

A stone commemorating the historical ties between Lithuania and the United States has been installed in Vilnius' Washington Square. The initiative, proposed by the Seimas' Commission for Freedom Fights and State Historical Memory, marks the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, celebrated on July 4.

Conservative politician Emanuelis Zingeris suggested that honoring Sumner Welles in Vilnius could serve as a starting point for a planned sculpture park in Washington Square. This park would be dedicated to U.S. diplomats who contributed to the independence of the Baltic states. The commission has approached Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas regarding the project's implementation.

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The commemoration of S. Welles in Vilnius could become a starting point for a sculpture park planned in Washington Square, dedicated to U.S. diplomats who contributed to the independence of the Baltic states.

The monument specifically recalls Welles' declaration on July 23, 1940, when he served as acting U.S. Secretary of State. In this statement, later known as the Welles Declaration, the U.S. condemned the Soviet Union's aggression against the Baltic nations and refused to recognize their occupation. The United States consistently upheld this position until the Baltic states regained their independence in 1990-1991. A commemoration for the 85th anniversary of the Welles Declaration was held in the same square last summer.

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The U.S. condemns the Soviet aggression against the Baltic states and does not recognize the occupation of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.