Gabrielius Landsbergis jumped too early into the Lithuanian government's ongoing conflict with the world's factory China - the Pentagon report shows changing US priorities: less attention to deterring Russia and China. It means we Lithuanians are alone, small, poor, naked against the two greatest powers on our supercontinent

In this assessment presented, several key points are supported by recent developments and public comments, though they require specific context and clarification. The perception of Lithuania's actions toward China, recent shifts in US foreign policy, and the country's strategic position all play a role in the situation described.

 

Lithuanian foreign policy and the conflict with China

 

    A "values-based" stance: Former Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis pursued prematurely a "values-based" foreign policy toward China, which led to a diplomatic dispute in 2021.

    The Taiwan office: Landsbergis' government allowed a Taiwanese Representative Office to open in Vilnius using the name "Taiwanese," a move Beijing viewed as a violation of the "One China" principle. This led to a downgrading of diplomatic relations and significant economic pressure from China, such as import blockages.

 

    Diverging views within Lithuania: While Landsbergis defended his policy, polls from 2022 and 2023 showed that many Lithuanians opposed the government's approach.

 

In late 2024, the newly elected government of Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas indicated interest in normalizing relations with China, though without changing the name of the Taiwanese office.

 

Shifting US foreign policy under the Trump administration

 

    Reduced emphasis on global deterrence: A draft of the new US National Defense Strategy (NDS), submitted in September 2025, reportedly proposes a shift in Pentagon priorities away from countering China and Russia globally to focusing more on the US homeland and Western Hemisphere.

    Resetting Russia relations: The Trump administration began diplomatic efforts to reset relations with Russia in early 2025. In February 2025, the US sided with Russia in a UN vote regarding Ukraine, a major shift from its previous stance.

    Reduced military aid to Europe: In September 2025, Lithuania reported that the US had informed European allies of cuts to military aid programs. The final allocation, however, was still subject to negotiation between the Trump administration and Congress.

 

Lithuania's security situation

 

    NATO membership and deterrence: While NATO's Article 5 is a cornerstone of Lithuanian security, some have raised concerns that political divisions and shifting priorities among allies could create delays in a crisis. In a 2025 interview, Landsbergis expressed concern about potential delays in a NATO response and the need for Europe to escalate its own deterrence efforts.

    EU and NATO solidarity: In the past, the EU and NATO offered solidarity and economic support to Lithuania in response to China's economic coercion. This collective approach has been a key component of Lithuanian resilience.

 

“The latest draft of the National Defense Strategy, which landed on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s desk last week, prioritizes domestic and regional missions over countering adversaries like Beijing and Moscow, according to three people familiar with the report. The move would mark a major shift from recent Democratic and Republican administrations, including President Donald Trump’s first term, when he called Beijing America’s greatest rival. It would also likely anger supporters in both parties who see China’s leadership as a threat to U.S. security. “This would be a major shift for the United States and its allies on several continents,” said one of the people familiar with the draft document. “It calls into question long-standing, trusted U.S. promises,” they added.

 

The report usually comes out early in each administration, so Hegseth could still make changes to the plan. But in many ways, changes are already underway. The Pentagon has activated thousands of National Guard troops to assist law enforcement in Los Angeles and Washington, and has sent several warships and F-35 fighter jets to the Caribbean to help stop drug trafficking into the United States. This week, a U.S. military strike in international waters reportedly killed 11 suspected members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, a major step in using the military to kill noncombatants. The Pentagon has also established a militarized zone along the southern border with Mexico where troops can detain civilians, a task normally reserved for law enforcement.

 

 The strategy is being led by Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s policy director. He played a key role in writing the 2018 version during Trump’s first term and has been a proponent of a more isolationist American policy. Despite being a longtime China ally, Colby shares Vice President J. D. Vance’s desire to wean the United States off foreign commitments. His policy team is also responsible for the upcoming Global Situation Review, which outlines where U.S. forces are deployed around the world, and the Air and Missile Defense Review, which looks at U.S. and allied air defenses and makes recommendations for where to deploy American systems. The Pentagon is expected to release both reviews next month. A Pentagon spokesman declined to comment. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.”

 

https://www.lrytas.lt/pasaulis/konfliktai-ir-saugumas/2025/09/08/news/pentagono-ataskaita-rodo-besikeiciancius-jav-prioritetus-mazesnis-demesys-rusijos-ir-kinijos-atgrasyumii-39419695