Vilnius, November 4 (ELTA) – Lithuania’s former foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Monday was named the recipient of the 2025 Magnitsky Award for “Outstanding Contribution to the Magnitsky Justice Campaign.” An awards committee said on X Landsbergis was honoured for his exceptional leadership in mobilising international action for human rights and targeted sanctions. 

“In his time as Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis made sure that Lithuania became known globally as a standard-bearer in the fight for freedom and rule of law. He provided huge support to Ukraine, expanded Lithuania’s connections in the Indo-Pacific and supported initiatives in support of all freedom-loving people, in Moldova, Georgia, Taiwan or any place where freedom is under threat,” the Magnitsky Awards Committee wrote on its official website.

According to the committee, Landsbergis’ ability to cut through the noise became his trademark, helping him gain 100,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter) through bold, principled commentary, frequent appearances on outlets including CNN, BBC’s HardTalk, Sky News, Bloomberg, and Fox, and widely noted speeches in Brussels and the United States. Observers say he elevated Lithuania’s profile on the world stage, emerging as an award-winning and influential voice in international affairs.

“Since leaving all his political and diplomatic posts in 2024, Gabrielius continues to leverage his communication skills to push back against despots and their collaborators all over the world,” the committee said.

The Magnitsky Awards, established in 2015, honour journalists, politicians and activists who champion human rights. Named after Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in police custody after uncovering state corruption, the awards reflect his legacy through the Magnitsky Act, which targets human rights abusers with asset freezes and visa bans. Past recipients include Boris Nemtsov, John McCain, Jamal Khashoggi, Maria Ressa and Oleg Sentsov.

Vilnius, November 4 (ELTA) – President Gitanas Nausėda has resubmitted Haroldas Šinkūnas’ nomination for judge of the Constitutional Court to the Seimas, after it failed to secure support from lawmakers earlier.

In October, the Seimas held a secret ballot to appoint Julius Sabatauskas and Artūras Driukas as Constitutional Court judges. However, the president’s nominee Šinkūnas was turned down.

Vilnius University Professor Šinkūnas was rejected as too few lawmakers supported his candidacy – 53 voted for his appointment, 44 voted against and 22 abstained. 

At that time, the presidency linked the rejection to the president’s veto on a law passed in the Parliament that aimed to ease penalties for officials who misused expenses allowances.

However, political sources suggested the ruling party opposed the president’s candidate due to Nausėda’s criticism of the decision to nominate MP Sabatauskas, who recently left the Social Democratic Party, to the court.

Šinkūnas, dean of the Faculty of Law at Vilnius University, previously served as a legal adviser to former President Valdas Adamkus.

The Constitutional Court consists of 9 judges appointed for one 9-year term of office. Three new judges are appointed every three years. Candidates are put forward by the president, the Seimas speaker and chairman of the Supreme Court.

Vilnius, November 4 (ELTA) – An official ceremony on Tuesday, attended by Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, marked the start of construction of the Rheinmetall artillery shell factory in Baisogala, the Government’s press service said.

“This project represents a new and important stage in Lithuanian–German cooperation in the defence industry. It is not only an investment in technology, but also in a safer future for Lithuania, the region, and Europe. It also reflects mutual trust and the excellent bilateral relations between Lithuania and Germany,” Prime Minister Ruginienė said at the event.

The modern 155 mm artillery ammunition factory will be operated by the jointly established company Rheinmetall Defence Lietuva. Direct investment in Lithuania will reach up to EUR 300 million and the factory will create at least 150 jobs. The facility is expected to start operations in Lithuania as early as 2026.

“We sincerely hope that once Ukraine prevails, a lasting and just peace will be established on our continent. However, we soberly understand that Europe must remain vigilant, and that investment in defence, resilience, and preparedness is essential,” Ruginienė stated.

Also today, the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation and Rheinmetall signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of an ammunition manufacturing competence centre.

The prime minister wished all parties involved in the ammunition factory project continued smooth cooperation and assured that this project, as well as collaboration with Rheinmetall, one of the world’s leading defence industry companies, will continue to have strong Government support.

Vilnius, November 4 (ELTA) – President Gitanas Nausėda on Tuesday took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Rheinmetall ammunition factory in Baisogala, the largest defence industry investment in Lithuania’s history, his office said in a press release. 

In his address, the president emphasised that the Baisogala ammunition plant is not only an industrial but also a strategic project aimed at reinforcing Europe’s deterrence capabilities and ensuring peace on the continent.

“For Lithuania, this state-of-the-art artillery ammunition plant – the largest defence sector investment in our country’s history – is not merely an industrial project. It is a strategic step towards building deterrence as a precondition for peace. Today, we are witnessing how the Zeitenwende proclaimed in materializes on the Lithuanian soil – through steel, technology and, most importantly, trust,” the president said.

Nausėda thanked the Rheinmetall’s leadership for their confidence in Lithuania, its people and its industrial capacity, stressing that the project will bolster Europe’s defence readiness and ensure a reliable ammunition supply chain.

“The Rheinmetall factory, once completed, will serve every soldier under NATO’s flag. It will contribute to a Europe capable of defending itself and controlling its own ammunition supply. A Europe that cannot be blackmailed or intimidated. A Europe ready to act when action is needed,” the president stated.

“You have placed your trust in the Lithuanian people, our industrial capabilities and the future we share. In return, we offer unwavering partnership and hospitality. I can assure you that this factory comes with care – care for the environment, for your homes, for your safety. And it will bring new economic opportunities for the entire community and for generations to come,” he added.

During the ceremony, a memorandum of understanding was also signed, launching negotiations for the establishment of a second Rheinmetall plant in Lithuania – a modular propellant manufacturing facility. 

“The upcoming negotiations with Rheinmetall on a second factory in Lithuania demonstrate our country’s ambition and enduring potential – both essential in today’s world, marked by instability but also by new opportunities,” the president said.

The Lithuanian leader also noted Germany’s historic decision to permanently station a brigade in Lithuania, calling it one of the most important milestones in the shared history of the two nations.

“As German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said a few months ago: ‘the security of Lithuania is also our security. The protection of Vilnius is the protection of Berlin,’” the president stated.

President Nausėda underlined that Lithuania is determined to make a strong contribution to collective defence – next year, national defence spending is projected to reach 5.38 percent of GDP – a clear sign of Lithuania’s commitment to building the shields that protect us all. 

“We act today to secure tomorrow. So let this day stand as everlasting proof of our shared resolve and friendship!” the president concluded.

Vilnius, November 5 (ELTA) – The State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania) reports that based on data of the Labour Force Survey, in the third quarter 2025, the unemployment rate stood at 6.6 percent and, compared to the second quarter 2025, decreased by 0.6 percentage point, compared to the third quarter 2024 – by 0.2 percentage point.

In Q3 2025, the male unemployment rate stood at 7.3, female – 5.9 percent. The youth (persons aged 15-24) unemployment rate stood at 12.5 percent, and over a quarter decreased by 5.6 percentage points, over a year – by 7.1 percentage points. Over a quarter, the long-term unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage point and, in Q3 2025, stood at 2.6 percent, while compared to the respective period of 2024, it increased by 0.4 percentage point.

In Q3 2025, there were 105 thousand unemployed persons aged 15-74, of whom 15 thousand – aged 15-24. Over a quarter, the number of unemployed persons decreased by 8.4 thousand. In Q3 2025, the number of the long-term unemployed totalled 40.9 thousand (39 percent of the total number of unemployed persons). Over a quarter, the number of the long-term unemployed decreased by 2.2 thousand, over a year increased by 5.6 thousand.

In Q3 2025, the employment rate of persons aged 15-64 stood at 75.1 percent.

In Q3 2025, the employment rate of persons aged 15-64 stood at 75.1 percent and over a quarter increased by 1.1 percent, over a year – by 0.9 percentage point. In the said age group, the female employment rate was by 0.1 percentage point higher than that of male (75.1 and 75 percent respectively).

In Q3 2025, the youth (persons aged 15-24) employment rate stood at 37.1 percent and over a quarter increased by 9.2 percentage point, over a year – by 4.1 percentage point. Over a quarter, the employment rate of persons aged 55-64 decreased by 2.7 percentage point and stood at 69 percent in Q3 2025.

In Q3 2025, the number of persons classified under the labour force totalled 1 million 590.6 thousand, which is by 17.2 thousand more than in Q2 2025.

In Q3 2025, there were 1 million 485.6 thousand persons who worked or had a job. Over a quarter, the number of employed persons increased by 25.6 thousand, over a year – by 4 thousand.

In Q3 2025, there were 903.4 thousand economically inactive persons aged 15 and older, more than half (62.3 percent) of them were old-age pensioners and persons entitled to anticipatory old-age pension, 14.6 percent – students aged 15–24.

Vilnius, November 5 (ELTA) – Striving to implement the Constitutional Court’s ruling and legalise partnership, MP Laurynas Šedvydis, chair of the Seimas Committee on Human Rights, together with representatives of the Liberal Movement and the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), has submitted a bill on partnership.

If adopted, the law would legalise gender-neutral partnership both between different- and same-sex partners.

Partnerships would have to be confirmed by notaries. Agreements would be registered and included to the Registry of Marriages and Partnerships.

Amendments to the Civil Code would stipulate that partnership is an agreement on cohabitation between two adults, creating family relations.

Partnerships would be terminated by notaries when partners do not have children that are minors and, in other cases, by court.

The bill is aimed at regulating both property and personal relations of partners, and their property relations with third parties.

If approved by the Seimas, the law would take effect in 2027.

In April 2025, the Constitutional Court ruled that the absence of the possibility to conclude same-sex partnership violates the Constitution.

From April to September, 18 lawsuits were filed demanding to recognise partnerships.

Vilnius, November 5 (ELTA) – Irregular migrants did not attempt to cross from Belarus to Lithuania on Tuesday, 4 November, reports the State Border Guard Service (VSAT).

Meanwhile, Latvia stopped 13 migrants from illegally entering its territory from Belarus on Tuesday, whereas Poland turned back to Belarus 18 irregular migrants on Monday.

So far this year, by 5 November, the VSAT has prevented 1,546 irregular migrants from accessing Lithuania via Belarus. The figure stood at 1,002 at the end of 2024.

Since the start of the migrant crisis caused by Belarus in 2021, Lithuania has thwarted a total of 24,508 illegal border crossing attempts.

Vilnius, November 4 (ELTA) – On Wednesday, President Gitanas Nausėda will meet with Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas to discuss the latest political developments.

The meeting comes amid discussions on the 2026 state budget while the positions of the national defence minister and culture minister are still vacant.

The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) has nominated Robertas Kaunas as the new defence minister to replace Dovilė Šakalienė who was dismissed amid disagreements with Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė over defence funding. The president had already met with the candidate and assessed him favourably.

Meanwhile, the culture minister’s position has been vacant for over a month since the resignation of Ignotas Adomavičius, a representative of the Nemunas Dawn party.

In early October, the LSDP announced to have taken over the culture minister’s portfolio from the Nemunas Dawn party but has not yet nominated a new candidate. However, three new deputy ministers – Aleksandras Brokas, Anna Kuznecovienė and Renata Kurmin – have already been appointed.

Vilnius, November 4 (ELTA) – A team of NATO experts chaired by Director of the Policy and Capabilities Division in the International Military Staff Karl Ford and Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning Zamir Nichol Catsar paid a visit to the Ministry of National Defence (MoD), according to a statement from the ministry. 

With Deputy Minister of National Defence Tomas Godliauskas, Defence Policy Director Vaidotas Urbelis and other MoD and Lithuanian Armed Forces representatives on Lithuania’s side, the guests took stock of Lithuania’s progress on the Alliance’s defence planning requirements – and discussed directions of further capability development.

NATO commitments of the Allies were confirmed at the NATO Defence Ministerial in June 2025. The scope of Lithuania’s commitments has significantly expanded since the previous planning cycle, especially for the short term, therefore, the visit emphasized the importance of keeping the defence budget bar at 5–6% of GDP forward. The decision of the State Defence Council to dedicated 5–6% of GDP for defence was praised as a substantial step to ensure the NATO commitments are delivered on. 

According to Defence Policy Director Urbelis, Lithuania was consistently strengthening its military capabilities and civil readiness in order not just to fulfil the NATO commitments but also to ensure national security in the long term. 

“Lithuania is committed to contributing to the defence of the entire Alliance territory from the first centimetre. We aim for capabilities that add power nationally but also are compatible with the Allied structure, just like the decisions – based on operational necessity and cost-effective in terms of resources,” said Urbelis.

Lithuania has done significant practical work since approving the commitments, that will build up in the advantage of effective implementation of NATO commitments in the future. However, several challenges were pinpointed as well and Lithuania will have to find solutions. The risky areas include manning, timely acquisition of equipment and integration of it, and the capacity of defence industry to manufacture and hand over the required amount of equipment on time.

Also, compatibility of concepts of different countries, additional requirements of the Capability Building Plan, and possible shifts in the US defence policy concerning a larger part of the burden for European security channeled to Europe.

Representatives of the Ministry of National Defence also expressed a stance on the upcoming planning cycle and presented proposals to the NATO team. Among the highlights there were the importance of keeping the level of ambition of the NATO Political Guidance agreed to in 2023 and loyalty to the principle of every inch of the Allied territory, as well as the necessity to retain the minimum NATO capability requirements set in 2024 to ensure a reliable implementation of the regional operational plans. 

The NATO experts also underscored that Lithuania’s activity testified of a consistent implementation of the commitments and a strong political will, while the national efforts were an important contribution in ensuring collective defence in the eastern flank. 

Vilnius, November 4 (ELTA) – Three new deputy culture ministers took office on Tuesday,  as the Inga Ruginienė-led Government continues to operate without a culture minister for a second month.

Aleksandras Brokas, Anna Kuznecovienė and Renata Kurmin were appointed to strengthen the ministry’s leadership, said Education, Science and Sports Minister Raminta Popovienė, who is temporarily heading the ministry. 

She said the move was vital to maintain continuity ahead of Lithuania’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Brokas, a film producer and director, will oversee professional arts, international cultural cooperation, cinema and creative industries, as well as literature, publishing and ties with the Lithuanian diaspora.

Kuznecovienė, who was part of former minister Šarūnas Birutis’ team, will focus on cultural heritage, digitisation and architectural arts, while Kurmin, who has many years of experience in project administration, communication, coordination of cultural events, will be responsible for libraries, museums, archives and regional cultural policy.

However, representatives of the cultural community, who on Monday urged the Government not to form the ministry’s political team until a new minister is named, criticised the move, calling it a “political absurdity.”

Vilnius, November 4 (ELTA) – Lithuania will receive a EUR 300 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to bolster its defence capabilities, the Ministry of Finance said Tuesday.

The financing agreement is set to be signed Friday by Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas and EIB Vice President Karl Nehammer, who will be visiting Vilnius.

In June, the ministry said Lithuania had already secured EUR 1 billion in funding for national defence from international financial institutions, with the total expected to reach EUR 1.5 billion by year’s end.

Earlier this year, the EIB approved a EUR 540 million loan for the construction of the Rūdninkai military campus, where a German brigade is expected to be stationed by 2027. In May, Lithuania signed a EUR 400 million loan agreement with the Nordic Investment Bank to enhance national security from 2025 to 2027.

The funds are earmarked for dual-use infrastructure, acquisition and modernization of military equipment, and strengthening cyber security, the ministry said.

Vilnius, November 4 (ELTA) – President Gitanas Nausėda met with Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger and Germany’s State Minister of Defence Nils Schmid on Tuesday to discuss Lithuanian–German industrial cooperation in the field of defence, preparations for the deployment of the German brigade in Lithuania, and the growing security challenges in the region, the president’s office said in a press release.

The president emphasised that Rheinmetall’s investment in Lithuania represents a significant step in strengthening the strategic partnership between Lithuania and Germany, enhancing both countries’ contributions to the development of Europe’s defence industry. He invited the German company to further expand its activities in Lithuania and increase investments by taking advantage of the favourable regulatory environment Lithuania offers for the development of the defence industry.

“We value Rheinmetall’s commitment to Lithuania and see great potential for further growth. Such investments create jobs and enhance the security of our country and the entire region,” the president said.

During the meeting, President Nausėda encouraged Rheinmetall to continue investing in new defence industry enterprises and welcomed the start of negotiations regarding another Rheinmetall investment in Lithuania.

The president also reviewed preparations for the deployment of the German brigade, underlining that Lithuania remains fully committed to ensuring that all necessary infrastructure is in place for the brigade’s arrival by the end of 2027. Construction of the Rūdninkai military town is currently ahead of schedule.

The meeting also addressed the recent increase in airspace violations, particularly the latest meteorological balloon incidents, which pose a threat to public safety. 

“We will never tolerate this, as the safety of our people is an absolute priority for the state,” the president said. 

He emphasised that the repeated incidents originating from Belarusian territory are unfriendly, hybrid-type actions requiring a strong national response, as well as NATO and EU solidarity. 

“Unfortunately, it is difficult to expect goodwill from Belarus, even though, as a neighbouring state, it should show interest,” the president added.