Lithuania’s foreign minister rules out 2029 presidential bid

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has ruled out running in the 2029 presidential election, stating he does not see the role as part of his current priorities, politika.lt reports.

“In my schedule, in my work, or as a task for myself, I don’t see it,” Budrys told the news outlet in an online discussion. “I say this openly—you can ask my team, and they’ll tell you the same.” He acknowledged that persistent speculation about his potential candidacy had become a distraction, affecting other aspects of his work.

“If this question didn’t exist, perhaps there wouldn’t be so much doubt,” he said. “But we clarify everything, and it becomes clear to everyone. We make a to-do list and move forward.”

Budrys emphasised the importance of trust in politics, noting that leaders must focus on their responsibilities rather than personal ambitions. “If someone is wondering what this guy is up to and what he might do next—that’s a problem,” he said. “We need to be as engaged and united as possible on various issues.”

He underscored national security as his top priority, citing his background in the security sector. “I’m not a single-issue person—my scope has expanded significantly—but security remains my focus,” Budrys said. He suggested that if Lithuania’s security situation had been different in 2024, another person might have held his current position.

Addressing Lithuania’s policy toward Belarus, Budrys dismissed calls from some ruling coalition partners to lift sanctions and restore relations. He stressed that sanctions—particularly sectoral measures against Belarus—remain in effect until February 2027 under EU-wide agreements.

“Even if Lithuania decided unilaterally to lift sanctions, we couldn’t do much,” he explained. “Those measures remain in place unless we present compelling arguments to the EU Council and all 27 member states agree to remove them—which is highly unlikely given neighbouring countries’ positions.”

Budrys defended open debate on foreign policy, arguing that discussions are necessary in an uncertain and fragmented global landscape. “Anyone who claims to have all the answers is either a charlatan, an opportunist, or lacks common sense,” he said. “There are no self-evident solutions, which is why we spend so much time in discussion.”

He described Lithuania’s current relationship with Belarus as “problematic,” pointing to recent incidents such as balloon incursions into Lithuanian airspace and threats to civilian infrastructure.