Lithuania’s outgoing foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, plans to retire from politics after conceding defeat in last month's parliamentary election. He is now eyeing opportunities that would allow him to comment on foreign affairs.
"A pause is a pause. I do not intend to participate in political life, but this does not mean that I am not interested in or care about both Lithuanian and foreign affairs,” he told LRT.lt in Brussels. “It is difficult to say where life will go from here, but I am allowing myself some time to decide."
There was speculation that Landsbergis would try to secure a post in an EU institution. However, he denied all such rumours.
Landsbergis said he would comment on foreign policy on social media and was considering broader opportunities in the future, but stopped short of providing more details.
"I want to comment on foreign affairs, because I think it is important, especially when you have an opinion and a position. And I think I have been able to nudge [international] issues in a certain direction from time to time, so I think I will do some of that, and then time will tell," he added.
As the foreign minister of Lithuania between 2020 and 2024, he led the country's response to the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine and steered Lithuania's Taiwan pivot and China policy.
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