The Lithuanian gray cardinals are preparing to ask for help from Lithuanians in the US, whose Lithuanian citizenships are cynically being revoked by the Lithuanian government, which is naive t, and to bribe the US elite with millions of euros (which is a criminal offense in the US)

 

This revocation of citizenship forces Lithuanians in the US to live with a visa, the so-called green card, which does not guarantee the possibility of continuing to remain a US resident, especially now.

 

"Two figures are asking for help from Lithuanians abroad: the signatory of the Act of Independence, diplomat Albinas Januška, and diplomat, former ambassador to Ukraine Petras Vaitiekūnas.

 

“Donald Trump's return to the White House, which initially seemed like a political anomaly, is becoming a consistently dangerous process.

 

Trump's America is no longer the same America

 

In such a world, Lithuania can very quickly become an object of "optimization" from an ally - a figure moved on the geopolitical table, which, if too expensive or politically unnecessary, is simply ignored.

 

Increasingly, voices are heard in Lithuania: “Is the US still our ally?” The answer is no longer obvious. We can no longer plan national defense or regional strategy based solely on the “faith” that America will “react somehow.”

 

Speculation is not the way to plan the existential future of a state. And today, we have to speculate more and more often.

 

Europe as the last hope? Only if a miracle happens

 

Naturally, attention is focused on the European Union (EU). But the EU is not a military alliance, it does not have a common military command, and decision-making is a slow, compromise-filled process. Therefore, Europe is not Plan “A,” it is an important option (alternative), but one that certainly requires years of preparation. We do not have time for that.

 

All is not lost

 

Is it still possible to do something on the diplomatic front with the US, despite (or taking advantage of) the inconsistency of the Trump administration, when Lithuania’s diplomatic capabilities in the US are relatively small or even minimal? How to stay with the US without destroying relations with the US, surviving for two, if necessary, three and a half more years, hoping that such US policy will not become the new normal in the future?

 

Today, it is worth remembering what has already worked once. When Lithuania needed special attention when joining NATO, it managed to create quite original communication/influence mechanisms.

 

The idea is simple. Create a 5-10-person Lithuanian (honorary) advisory council under the President (or Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense) as an institution, to which former but still influential US congressmen, senators, secretaries of state, and ambassadors could be invited; well-known diplomats, experts, analysts from both parties – Republicans and Democrats.

 

The Council would not have formal power, but its members would have influence. And that is what Lithuania needs today. The purpose of the Council would be: constant advice on how to remain visible on the US political agenda; recommendations on how to respond to domestic political transformations in the US; information transfer to Washington decision-makers about Lithuania’s geopolitical context; “lobbying” to ensure that Lithuania is not one of the “optimized” NATO countries in Europe (if the US, for example, decides to reduce the presence of its troops).

 

Additionally, Lithuania could finance Lithuanian (Baltic) security research and discussions in such US think tanks as “The Atlantic Council”, CSIS, “Heritage Foundation”, RAND, etc. This would be no less important than the advisory council.

 

In addition, we should not forget the Lithuanian diaspora in the US, if we can convince them that Lithuania is indeed in danger in the event of the withdrawal of US troops from Lithuania (to cause a prophylactic noise, even if there are no plans to withdraw).

 

Lithuania has several important arguments for D. Trump's America, which could be exhibited through the created Council or Think tanks - Lithuania is the only EU country with a Taiwanese representation, and the only EU country that refused to cooperate with the Cuban regime against the will of other EU countries.

 

We need to be strategically clever. Lithuania cannot afford to be in line, hoping to be noticed (or forgotten).

 

We need to regain what we once had: the ability to stand out. Even quietly, but effectively.

 

It would cost - yes. Some advisors might agree [to work - "Delfi"] without remuneration, out of honor or personal connection with Lithuania. In other cases, expenses would have to be paid, contracts would have to be drawn up. And that is normal.

 

Working with think tanks would be even more expensive. But it would also be an opportunity for our experts to improve and have an impact.

 

It would cost hundreds of thousands, maybe a few million. It is not cheap. But compared to what is at stake, this is a trifle.

 

Because the benefit is really worth the billions that Lithuania could lose if it becomes insignificant in the US military planning and geopolitical context.”

 

Lithuanians abroad could really be useful to Lithuania. It is enough to stop catching those who work abroad and have acquired second citizenship. It is worth announcing in the press that everything is over, we will no longer catch, abuse and mock Lithuanians who have second citizenship, we will not take away their passports. The benefit would be mutual.