Lithuania

Abstract

Lithuanian and Russian relations in 2011 were a classic example of a connection between a small and a large state intertwined in the course of history: clashes of identity, different interpretations of (recent) history combined with an asymmetry of power in their geopolitical setup, in addition to different trajectories in terms of democracy and political culture. Regardless of the ever-relevant security concerns about the “big neighbour”, the Lithuanian government makes an effort to consider Russia among the stakeholders and future contributors to Western civilisation. However, the ball is not in Lithuania’s court most of the time. Parliamentary and presidential elections in Russia in 2011 and 2012 did not bring about changes in bilateral relations, which are currently based on pragmatic cooperation and attempts to depoliticise economics and history. The main themes between Lithuania and Russia in 2011 were legal cooperation, energy security, demarcation of borders, cross- border collaboration and endeavours to start negotiations over Russian compensation for the Soviet occupation. Last but not least, today’s Russia, as a single country, is the largest export and import partner for Lithuania.