The “Defending Baltics: War Lessons from Ukraine” International Security Conference held in Vilnius on 8–9 October offered a valuable platform for discussing and reflecting on the lessons from the Russia–Ukraine war. What made the conference particularly unique was its diverse mix of participants, including politicians, military personnel, academics, NGOs, and representatives from the defence industry, all gathering to assess the ongoing war in Ukraine from multiple perspectives.
Publications
Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review, Vol. 43, 2025.
The Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review is an analytical journal focusing on global issues and analyzing their impact on Lithuania. It is published annually in cooperation with the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since 2018, the partners have included Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the US Embassy in Lithuania. The journal was established in 1998. Gradually, it moved towards covering the security and foreign policy issues of the countries in Central Eastern Europe and the geopolitical and security problems of the whole region. Since 2018 the concept of the journal has changed from a peer-reviewed journal to an analytical publication. ISSN: 1392-5504
Political Crisis Deepens in Georgia Amid Growing Protests
After the prime minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced a decision not to pursue the opening of EU accession negotiations and to reject EU financial support at least until 2028, Georgia is experiencing significant political unrest.
Return of the War: Redefining European Security
The Russia’s war against Ukraine has rocked the bedrock of security on the European continent.
China review 2024-3. China and Russia relations.
Diplomatic interactions between China and Russia remain frequent and take place at the highest levels. Between July and September, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had as many as eight high-level meetings with their Chinese counterparts in various formats. The frequency of these meetings signals a strong focus from both sides on strengthening relations and expanding cooperation, exemplified by the first China–Russia consultation on the peaceful Uses of Outer Space Affairs, held on 8 August.
Critical elections in Georgia and Moldova: Is there a risk of a “color revolution”?
Significant political shifts can be expected in Georgia and Moldova if the October elections favor opposition forces. The Georgian legislative elections on October 26 may lead to a redistribution of political power, currently concentrated in the hands of the Eurosceptic ruling party, Georgian Dream.
China’s EV Case: A Testing Ground for the EU’s Genuine Foreign Economic Policy
Mario Draghi, the former President of the European Central Bank, recently unveiled a long-awaited plan aimed at invigorating Europe’s economic growth. Central to his proposal is a call for the European Union (EU) to adopt a genuine foreign economic policy. For this ambition to be realized, unity among the EU’s 27 member states on their approach to China policy is essential.
Countering Russian hybrid interference with EU sanctions
Ukrainian diplomacy in favour of sanctions against Russian military aggression, which began in February 2022, drew attention to threats linked to Russian hybrid operations in Europe. In this context, the EU experienced a geopolitical awakening, reflecting its internal vulnerabilities to the malign influence exerted unhindered by Russia on EU member states for decades.
“Thus, all the West must do is maintain military and economic support for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia. A firm and principled response against aggression is the only language that Putin understands—and it clearly makes him uncomfortable”
“Things like the war in Ukraine are a good lesson for us, they give us time to ready ourselves. The Ukrainians are buying us time, we need to use that well and prepare”
“The Lithuanian government is keeping its promise to promote values-oriented diplomacy, which is grounded in an appreciation for diversity, dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful resolutions of disputes in all domains of international relations”
NATO 2023
NATO Public Forum
The NATO Public Forum was co-organised by NATO, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre, the Atlantic Council, the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Munich Security Conference, kicked off today.
Discussion “NATO Summit in Vilnius: Priorities and Expectations”
The speakers stressed the need to strengthen further cooperation with Pacific partners, particularly in the area of information and intelligence.
Discussion on whether is Europe ready to Face Hardships in Support of Ukraine
The Eastern Europe Studies Centre, in cooperation with the Chatham House Russia and Eurasia Programme and Lithuanian Embassy in London, hosted the discussion "Is Europe ready to face hardships in support of Ukraine?".
Media library
GSSC 10th Annual “Chief of Diplomacy” Stasys Lozoraitis Lithuanian Foreign Policy Conference
On December 10th, the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center (GSSC), in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation, the Atlantic Council, the German Embassy in Vilnius, the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and other partners, organized the tenth annual conference in memory of Lithuania’s Chief Diplomat, Stasys Lozoraitis. During the event, the center announced its transformation – the Eastern Europe Studies Centre has now become the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center (GSSC). The conference addressed critical issues, including transatlantic cooperation and security, the situation in Ukraine, Russian policies, modern and hybrid warfare techniques, and Lithuania’s defense.
Research programmes of the Eastern Europe Studies Centre
The aim of the research programmes is to analyse the most important processes in international politics, security and economics, to understand their impact on Lithuania, to make recommendations to decision-makers and to inform the general public. The content of the programmes includes the preparation of analytical studies and publications, the organisation of conferences, and the production of visual material. Analytical work is carried out by leading Lithuanian and foreign experts.
