Analysing international policy processes and Lithuania’s role in them

Events

The Geopolitics and Security Studies Center, GSSC hosts regular events, meetings, conferences and discussions. It brings together experts from different professional and academic backgrounds, representing and working in the disciplines of international relations and political science.

Events Oct 07, 2025
Discussion: Ukraine and the New European Order

On October 7, the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center hosted Ukrainian philosopher, writer, journalist, head of PEN Ukraine, and editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, Volodymyr Yermolenko. The discussion was moderated by the Center’s director, Linas Kojala.

Events Sep 30, 2025
Discussion on the Parliamentary Elections in Moldova

On September 29, the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center organized a discussion on the parliamentary elections held in Moldova last weekend. The event was attended by Denis Cenusa, an associate expert at the Center, and moderated by Dominykas Nedzinskas, project manager at the Center.

Events Sep 16, 2025
The GSSC and GLOBSEC roundtable discussion in Kyiv about Ukraine’s future perspectives

The GSSC together with the Ukrainian GLOBSEC office organized a roundtable discussion in Kyiv, during which they reviewed the security scenario study "Seven Security Scenarios on Russian War in Ukraine for 2025–2026: Implications and Policy Recommendations." This study reveals possible developments of the Russian war against Ukraine and its impact on the security of the European region, based on the assessments of 61 high-level Ukrainian experts.

Events Sep 15, 2025
Discussion: Zapad: Perceptions, Realities and Implications

On September 15, the GSSC hosted the discussion “Zapad: Perceptions, Realities and Implications”. The event featured Živilė Dambrauskaitė, author of the study “Belarusian Attitudes Toward the Zapad War Games”, and Franak Viacorka, Chief Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Juljan Jachovič, Senior Area Manager at the GSSC.

Events Aug 26, 2025
A roundtable discussion was held on the implementation of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) in the European Union and Lithuania’s position on it

On August 26, a roundtable discussion was held on the implementation of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) in the European Union and Lithuania’s position on it. The discussion was moderated by the Center’s Director Linas Kojala, with remarks delivered by Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys. The document for the discussion was prepared by STRATA’s Senior Policy Analyst Justinas Mickus.

Events Jul 30, 2025
Discussion: „Moldova’s EU Path and the 2025 Elections: Shared Perspectives from Moldova and Lithuania.“

On July 30th, GSSC hosted an event - "Moldova's EU Path and the 2025 Elections: Shared Perspectives from Moldova and Lithuania." The event featured the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, Christina Gherasimov, and the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, Sigitas Mitkus, and was moderated by the Center's Project Manager, Dominykas Nedzinskas.

Events Jul 01, 2025
GSSC Discussion: “Transatlantic Relations: Today and Tomorrow”

GSSC organized a discussion titled “Transatlantic Relations: Today and Tomorrow,” held in the context of drafting the National Security Strategy. The event featured Deputy Minister of National Defence Karolis Aleksa, Chief National Security Adviser to the President Deividas Matulionis, Professor Tomas Janeliūnas from Vilnius University’s Institute of International Relations and Political Science (VU TSPMI), and researcher Gerda Jakštaitė from the Lithuanian Military Academy. The discussion was moderated by GSSC Director Linas Kojala.

Events Jun 23, 2025
Discussion on the NATO Summit in The Hague with the Minister of National Defense, Chief Advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

This discussion on the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague was moderated by the Center's Director Linas Kojala, and was attended by the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Lithuania Dovilė Šakalienė, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Julius Pranevičius, and Advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania Asta Skaisgirytė.

Events May 19, 2025
Remote Discussion on the Polish Presidential Elections

On May 19, the GSSC hosted a discussion dedicated to the Polish presidential elections. The event featured Laurynas Vaičiūnas, Director of the Jan Nowak-Jezioranski College, Dr. Mariusz Antonowicz, lecturer at Vilnius University’s Institute of International Relations and Political Science (VU TSPMI) and researcher at Vytautas Magnus University (VDU), with the discussion moderated by GSSC political analyst Adam Roževič.

Events May 14, 2025
Online discussion – Perspectives on Nuclear Deterrence

We invite you to watch the discussion - “Perspectives on Nuclear Deterrence.” The discussion features Tomas Janeliūnas, GSSC expert, and Fabian Hoffman, defense and nuclear deterrence policy expert.

Events May 09, 2025
Visit of President Valdas Adamkus to GSSC

Today was a special day. At GSSC, we had the honor of meeting with President Valdas Adamkus. We discussed both the positive developments and the concerns facing our region.

Events Mar 25, 2025
The Fifth President of Sakartvelo Salome Zourabichvili Visits the GSSC

On March 25, the fifth President of Sakartvelo, Salome Zourabichvili, visited the Centre for Geopolitics and Security Studies (GSSC). During the meeting, participants discussed the current political situation in Sakartvelo following the recent presidential elections, national security challenges, issues related to the political crisis, the military threat posed by Russia, and other relevant topics.

Events Mar 25, 2025
Presentation of “Defending the Baltic States: War Lessons from Ukraine”

On March 25, the GSSC hosted the presentation of the review “Defending the Baltic States: War Lessons from Ukraine.” The event featured Romanas Judinas, an analyst from the Center for Civil Defense and Security Analysis Locked’n’Loaded, and Jonas Ohman, a representative of Blue/Yellow.

Events Mar 21, 2025
Meeting Between GSSC and the International Diplomacy Training Program

On March 21, the GSSC hosted a discussion with representatives of the International Diplomacy Training Program. The meeting focused on topics such as NATO and EU enlargement, political developments in the Western Balkans, and the future of transatlantic relations.

Events Feb 17, 2025
Discussion of the 2025 Munich Security Conference

Today, Center Director Linas Kojala discussed the key aspects of the Munich Security Conference, held on February 14-15, as well as the side event organized by GSSC for the third consecutive year.

Events Feb 14, 2025
The GSSC side event at the Munich Security Conference

Geopolitics and Security Studies Center, together with the International Centre for Defence and Security in Tallin (ICDS) and the Latvian Institute of International Affairs (LIIA), organized an event parallel with the Munich Security Conference (MSC). During the event, international-level guests discussed the most topical issues of geopolitics and security.

Events Dec 13, 2024
GSSC 10th Annual “Chief of Diplomacy” Stasys Lozoraitis Lithuanian Foreign Policy Conference

On December 10, 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.

Events Dec 10, 2024
Eastern Europe Studies Center changes its name and sets future goals

The analytical think tank, marking its 18th year of operation, has changed its name and will now be known as the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center (GSSC). Along with this name change, the Center is refocusing its research areas to concentrate on Eurasian affairs, transatlantic security, and strengthening societal resilience.

Events Dec 06, 2024
Discussion on the Political Situation in Georgia: Insights and Highlights

Today, the Center for Geopolitical and Security Studies, GSSC (formerly the Eastern European Studies Center), held a virtual discussion on the political situation in Georgia. The event featured Lithuanian Ambassador to Georgia Darius Vitkauskas and Deputy Director of the Georgian Institute of Politics Renata Skardžiūtė-Kereselidze, with RESC project assistant Donata Ketlerytė moderating the session.

Events Nov 29, 2024
Discussion “Coffee and International Politics”: “Rare Earth Elements: China’s Dominance and the Western Response”

On November 29 at the Center for Geopolitical and Security Studies, GSSC (formerly the Eastern European Studies Center), we continued the roundtable discussion format "Coffee and International Politics." This time, we discussed the topic "Rare Earth Elements: China's Dominance and the Western Response" together with the center’s associate expert, Raigirdas Boruta, examining the reasons for China’s dominance in this field and the Western reactions.

Events Jul 04, 2024
Discussion “NATO Summit: aspirations and opportunities for Lithuania”

On 4 July, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre hosted the discussion "NATO Summit: aspirations and opportunities for Lithuania". Together with the Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas and the President's Senior Adviser on National Security Kęstutis Budrys, we discussed the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington and the realities of the international arena surrounding it.

Events Jul 02, 2024
Presentation of the Russia Research Programme

On July 1, 2024, the EESC hosted an event to launch its new Russia research programme. The purpose of the programme is to deepen the understanding of the current Russian regime, opposition, and society, and to analyze the processes and political trends taking place in Russia. The discussion featured Lithuanian MEP and former Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, former Lithuanian Ambassador to Russia Remigijus Motuzas, and key Russian opposition figure and former political companion of Alexei Navalny, Leonid Volkov.

Events Jun 20, 2024
Lithuania-Netherlands Foreign Policy and Security Conference 2024

On June 19, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre, together with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lithuania and the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University, organized the third Lithuanian-Dutch Foreign Policy and Security Conference.

Events Jun 03, 2024
“Coffee and International Politics” discussion on Ukraine’s energy sector

On May 31st, we continued the roundtable discussion format "Coffee and International Politics" at the Eastern Europe Studies Centre. This time, the conversation was devoted to the energy sector of Ukraine. Saulius Rimutis, the EESC Associate Expert, shared his insights on this topic, including the damage Ukraine has suffered in this sector during the war and the country's future energy potential.

Events May 30, 2024
Delegation from the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada visits the EESC

On May 30th, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre organized a discussion dedicated to the European integration of Ukraine and other related topics. Among the participants were a delegation of decision-makers from the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada and Jonas Ohmanas, the founder of the non-governmental organization "Blue/Yellow."

Events May 28, 2024
Discussion on the upcoming Washington NATO Summit

With the NATO summit in Washington approaching, on May 28th, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre organized an event during which we discussed issues related to this summit and other relevant topics about NATO with Lithuanian Ambassador to NATO Deividas Matulionis.

Events May 20, 2024
Discussion “Lithuania’s Interests in Shaping the EU Development Strategy”

On May 20th, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre organized a discussion in the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania under the title "Lithuania's Interests in Shaping the EU Development Strategy." During the conversation with the Center's Associate Expert, Justinas Mickus, who presented his study "EU Reforms in View of Enlargement and Economic Security: Towards an Integrated Approach to European Self-Transformation," we discussed the most important issues related to this topic.

Events Mar 29, 2024
Discussion “Chinese and Taiwanese policy trends after Taiwan’s presidential election”

Continuing the format of roundtable discussions, "Coffee and International Politics," on March 29th we discussed the political trends in Taiwan and China with the EESC Associate Expert, Raigirdas Boruta. During the conversation, we explored topics such as the Taiwanese presidential election and its influence on the processes of adopting laws within the country, as well as Beijing's cautious reaction and China's foreign policy and technological ambitions.

Events Mar 26, 2024
Discussion “How is US policy changing? NATO, Ukraine, China”

After a visit to Washington and meetings with experts and decision-makers, the Centre’s Director, Linas Kojala, and Senior Project Manager Simona Merkinaitė shared their insights from the trip. The discussion mostly focused on the issues regarding the US presidential election, the future of NATO, and support for Ukraine.

Events Mar 14, 2024
Discussion “Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland’s Policy towards Belarus and what we can do about the independence of Belarus”

Today, the discussion on "Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland's Policy towards Belarus and what we can do about the independence of Belarus" took place at the EESC, where political scientist and VU TSPMI lecturer, Dr. Mariusz Antonowicz, shared his insights on the topic. Adam Roževič, Policy Analyst at the EESC, moderated the event. During the conversation, we discussed the development of the policies of these three states in relation to Belarus and efforts to strengthen Belarus' sovereignty.

Events Feb 29, 2024
Discussion “How will the upcoming changes in Russian-language schools in Lithuania affect national minorities?”

As debates on the fate of schools in Lithuania, where teaching takes place in Russian, intensify, the Eastern Europe Studies Center, in cooperation with Delfi RU, organized a discussion which focused on the impact of educational reforms on national minorities, their perspectives on the proposed integration and education models, and the teaching of the Lithuanian language in these schools.

Events Feb 22, 2024
Discussion “China-friendly narratives in the Baltics: how are they received by our societies?”

Today, during the discussion "China-friendly narratives in the Baltics: how are they received by our societies?", the Eastern Europe Studies Centre (EESC) presented the study "Classic Cleavages in a New Light: Chinese Informational Influence in the Baltics", prepared in cooperation with the Latvian Institute of International Affairs (LIIA) and the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS). The study measured the Baltic countries' susceptibility/resilience against Chinese narratives from three different perspectives: socio-economic, international politics, and values.

Events Feb 20, 2024
Dainius Žalimas visited the EESC

Today, in the third round of discussions with candidates for the post of President of the Republic of Lithuania, Dainius Žalimas visited the center. The candidate shared his main theses on defence and foreign policy.

Events Feb 19, 2024
Briefing about the Munich Security Conference

Today, the Centre's Director, Linas Kojala, and Member of the Seimas, Dovilė Šakalienė, discussed key insights from the Munich Security Conference, which took place on 16-18 February, and its side-event organized by EESC for the second year in a row.

Events Feb 15, 2024
EESC meeting with German army officers

On February 15, a delegation of German officers visited Eastern Europe Studies Centre (EESC) and together with VU TSPMI lecturer, political scientist dr. Mariusz Antonowicz discussed the most important regional security issues.

Events Dec 12, 2023
The 9th Annual EESC Conference on Lithuanian Foreign Policy, Commemorating Stasys Lozoraitis

On 12 December, the EESC, together with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation, organised the 9th Annual EESC Conference on Lithuanian Foreign Policy, Commemorating Stasys Lozoraitis. The conference took place at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Vilnius and covered Ukraine's struggle for its freedom, the role of artificial intelligence in international relations, Germany's role in Lithuania and Europe's security infrastructure, and the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington DC.

Events Dec 01, 2023
Discussion “Empowering Europe: Insights into Strengthening Strategic Autonomy”

On December 1st, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre (EESC) held a discussion featuring Thomas Gomart, the director of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), moderated by Justinas Mickus, an associated expert at the EESC. The event centred on key topics such as European strategic autonomy, the future of European security and defence, and the implications of an unstable global environment.

Events Nov 24, 2023
Coffee and International Politics – introducing the study “Adaptation and Integration of Ukrainian migrants in Lithuania”

Today, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre presented one of its major publications of the year - the study "Adaptation and Integration of Migrants from Ukraine in Lithuania". Together with co-author Svitlana Kostrykina, the EESC’s Chief Research Officer Tomas Janeliūnas presented the results of the study and discussed the main issues faced by migrants from Ukraine, ranging from employment and health care to education, to social adaptation and integration.

Events Nov 10, 2023
Visit by Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský

Our guest today was Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. We discussed the implications of Russia's aggression against Ukraine for European security, other geopolitical challenges, and the importance of Western unity.

Events Oct 26, 2023
Call for Anti-Disinformation Journalism for small research grants and online trainings

The Eastern Europe Studies Centre, in collaboration with the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup,” is pleased to announce the selection of journalists for a specialized program supporting quality journalism in Moldova. The activities are part of the project titled “Building Strategic Communication to Counter Russian Disinformation in Moldova.”

Events Sep 14, 2023
Discussion “Challenges, Trends, and Responses in the International Transport Domain”

On 14 September, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre hosted the discussion "Challenges, Trends, and Responses in the International Transport Domain" to examine key challenges and potential solutions for today's transport and logistics sector. We were joined by Young Tae Kim, Secretary General of the International Transport Forum, and Agnė Vaiciukevičiūtė, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania.

Events Jul 11, 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.

Events Apr 28, 2023
Discussion “Energy security in Europe in a time of transformation”

Today, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania hosted the discussion “Energy security in Europe in a time of transformation”, which examined the shifts in the energy sector in the EU after the start of the Russian war in Ukraine.

Events Mar 13, 2023
EESC meeting with President Valdas Adamkus

During our informal meeting we discussed international affairs and were delighted that the President was once again visiting the EESC conference hall named after him.

Events Feb 22, 2023
Discussion “What does Zeitenwende mean for NATO’s Eastern Flank?”

The Eastern Europe Studies Centre, in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, hosted the discussion “What does Zeitenwende mean for NATO's Eastern Flank?”, which mainly focused on the changes in Germany's foreign and security policy since 24 February 2022.

Events Feb 20, 2023
Munich Security Conference Debrief

Our Centre’s Director, “Munich Young Leaders 2023” member Linas Kojala today shared his insights on the main topics of the Munich Security Conference, which took place on 17-19 February, as well as on global security trends.  

Events Feb 09, 2023
Call for applications for the 4th Vilnius Young Leaders Meeting

The Eastern Europe Studies Centre (EESC), in cooperation with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), is bringing back the Vilnius Young Leaders Meeting (VYLM) format and invites to apply for its 4th instalment, which is to be held on April 17–18 in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Events Dec 15, 2022
The 8th Annual Eastern Europe Studies Centre Conference on Lithuanian Foreign Policy

On 13 December, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre, in cooperation with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Baltic States, organised the 8th Annual Conference on Lithuanian Foreign Policy. The conference introduced with a presentation of the latest EESC study "Barometer of Sustainability of Democracy”, based on a sociological survey of the Lithuanian population, as well as the annual publication "Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review”.

Events Nov 23, 2021
Discussion “National security challenges in managing the migration crisis”

The discussion was attended by Laurynas Kasčiūnas, Chairman of the National Security and Defense Committee of the Republic of Lithuania (NSDC), Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Saulius Skvernelis, and other guests took part in the discussion. The event was hosted by EESC Senior Policy Analyst Vladimir Laučius.

Events Jul 08, 2021
A meeting with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba

During a discussion, which was moderated by the EESC’s director Linas Kojala, he discussed ongoing reforms in Ukraine, the importance of the Eastern Partnership format, security dilemma and the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, the country’s integration with transatlantic structures and matters of bilateral relations between Lithuania and Ukraine.