EU Country's Foreign Minister Accused of ‘Preparing to Flee Country’
Lithuania's Gabrielius Landsbergis is believed to have purchased a villa in Greece as a precautionary measure in case the Ukraine conflict escalates and impacts his country. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Lithuanian opposition MPs have raised concerns about Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, alleging that he was preparing to flee the country just before the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022, according to various news sources.
These allegations emerged after Lithuanian media reported that Landsbergis’ wife made a €250,000 ($273,000) advance payment on a luxury villa on a Greek island in February 2022, shortly before hostilities erupted between Moscow and Kiev.
The news outlet Lietuvos rytas detailed that the villa includes a 313 square-meter house, two terraces, and a 23 square-meter guest house. Both Lithuanian and Greek flags have reportedly been observed at the property, which is concealed by a tall fence.
“It was clear that war in Ukraine was inevitable. It is obvious that Landsbergis, in the face of a difficult geopolitical situation, was ready to sharpen his skis,” opposition MP Agnes Sirinskiene shared with Delfi, expressing her astonishment at the timing of the acquisition.
Landsbergis has not yet addressed the allegations, as he is currently on vacation and scheduled to return to work in September.
In the meantime, the news outlet Respublika reported that opposition MPs are preparing a series of questions for Landsbergis to be raised at the next plenary session of the Lithuanian parliament.
“If some other family had bought real estate somewhere on the island just before the war, it might not have raised much suspicion. However, when the minister of foreign affairs, who probably has the most information about the possible war in Ukraine, behaves in this way, it requires explanations,” stated Lithuanian MP Aidas Gedvilas.
As a prominent supporter of Ukraine, Landsbergis has frequently warned that Russia may target other European countries if allowed to succeed in Ukraine. He has also advocated for regime change in Moscow, urging NATO to equip the Ukrainian military with “everything we have.”
In response to Landsbergis’ statements, Russia has condemned his remarks, labeling his “extremist” views as “unacceptable behavior for the head of a foreign ministry.” Moscow has imposed personal sanctions on Landsbergis and warned him of potential criminal liability for his calls to topple the Russian government.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
These allegations emerged after Lithuanian media reported that Landsbergis’ wife made a €250,000 ($273,000) advance payment on a luxury villa on a Greek island in February 2022, shortly before hostilities erupted between Moscow and Kiev.
The news outlet Lietuvos rytas detailed that the villa includes a 313 square-meter house, two terraces, and a 23 square-meter guest house. Both Lithuanian and Greek flags have reportedly been observed at the property, which is concealed by a tall fence.
“It was clear that war in Ukraine was inevitable. It is obvious that Landsbergis, in the face of a difficult geopolitical situation, was ready to sharpen his skis,” opposition MP Agnes Sirinskiene shared with Delfi, expressing her astonishment at the timing of the acquisition.
Landsbergis has not yet addressed the allegations, as he is currently on vacation and scheduled to return to work in September.
In the meantime, the news outlet Respublika reported that opposition MPs are preparing a series of questions for Landsbergis to be raised at the next plenary session of the Lithuanian parliament.
“If some other family had bought real estate somewhere on the island just before the war, it might not have raised much suspicion. However, when the minister of foreign affairs, who probably has the most information about the possible war in Ukraine, behaves in this way, it requires explanations,” stated Lithuanian MP Aidas Gedvilas.
As a prominent supporter of Ukraine, Landsbergis has frequently warned that Russia may target other European countries if allowed to succeed in Ukraine. He has also advocated for regime change in Moscow, urging NATO to equip the Ukrainian military with “everything we have.”
In response to Landsbergis’ statements, Russia has condemned his remarks, labeling his “extremist” views as “unacceptable behavior for the head of a foreign ministry.” Moscow has imposed personal sanctions on Landsbergis and warned him of potential criminal liability for his calls to topple the Russian government.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
