Lithuanian government approves Kudzmanas as permanent representative to OSCE

The Lithuanian government has endorsed the appointment of diplomat Kęstutis Kudzmanas as the country’s permanent representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and other key international bodies in Vienna, LRT reports.

Under the proposal, Kudzmanas will serve as Lithuania’s ambassador to the OSCE, the United Nations Office in Vienna, the International Anti-Corruption Academy, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization. The final appointment rests with President Gitanas Nausėda, following parliamentary approval.

Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys highlighted Kudzmanas’s extensive experience, noting his roles as ambassador to Turkey, Moldova, and Azerbaijan, as well as his past work in Russia and the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry. “He is an exceptionally experienced diplomat and professional,” Budrys said during Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė echoed the sentiment, calling Kudzmanas “the right person” for the position, which demands a broad range of competencies. Kudzmanas himself emphasized the need to boost Lithuania’s visibility in multilateral formats, particularly amid geopolitical tensions, and cited Ukraine support, countering Russian narratives, and hybrid threat mitigation as priorities.

The government also proposed recalling current Ambassador Tadas Valionis from Moldova as of August 27. Kudzmanas, who most recently served as Ruginienė’s senior advisor on international relations, is expected to assume his Vienna post on June 2, replacing interim chargé d’affaires Donatas Žiugžda.