Lithuania’s new government has confirmed that Kęstutis Budrys will continue serving as foreign minister, even as incoming Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė takes office.
Presidential foreign policy adviser Asta Skaisgirytė told reporters Wednesday that President Gitanas Nausėda “fully trusts” Budrys and has discussed with him priorities through the end of the president’s term in 2028.
Speaking after the meeting, Budrys said restoring diplomatic ties with China to a “basic level of normality” remains one of the ministry’s ongoing objectives, though he noted the limits of Lithuania’s influence.
“It was not Lithuania that initiated relations being at the level they are today. Not everything depends only on our efforts,” Budrys said. “Our interest remains to maintain diplomatic functioning, regardless of changes in government. The ministry will continue working in that direction patiently and consistently.”
Ruginienė, who was appointed last week, has called China a threat but emphasised that Lithuania’s policy should align with the European Union’s common position.
Relations between Vilnius and Beijing soured in late 2021, when Lithuania allowed Taiwan to open a representative office in its capital under the name “Taiwanese”. Most such offices in Europe use the name “Taipei”.
Beijing downgraded diplomatic ties in response, reducing representation from ambassador level to chargé d’affaires and renaming its mission in Vilnius accordingly.
Since then, both countries have operated only limited diplomatic offices in each other’s capitals.
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