Kubilius says Adamkus brought Western political culture to Lithuania

Former Lithuanian president Valdas Adamkus brought Western political culture, traditions and a different style of communication to Lithuania, former prime minister Andrius Kubilius said ahead of Adamkus’s 100th birthday. LRT reported his comments in an interview with politika.lt.

Kubilius, now the European commissioner responsible for defence and space, said Adamkus’s first presidential term made the strongest impression on him. Kubilius was prime minister in 1999 and 2000, when Lithuania began negotiations on European Union membership and made progress towards joining NATO.

He recalled travelling to Nida with European Commission enlargement commissioner Günter Verheugen as Lithuania sought to persuade the EU to open membership talks. Later, under US President George W. Bush’s administration, Lithuania’s progress towards NATO membership accelerated. Kubilius said these developments took place during Adamkus’s presidency.

Kubilius also remembered the respect and informal warmth in their relationship. When the two families lived in Turniškės, across from the president’s home, Adamkus would invite Kubilius and his wife, Rasa, over, suggesting that the women talk while the men discussed state affairs.

Asked about the Trump administration’s actions on sanctions, Starlink restrictions and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, Kubilius said the situation did not look good. He pointed to the approaching US midterm elections, saying political pressure could be influencing President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and decisions.

Kubilius said he viewed a possible Russian diesel sale to the United States mainly as a political gesture aimed at showing voters that Trump was trying to address rising fuel prices. He doubted additional Russian supplies would significantly change the US market or lower prices for consumers.

He also discussed the administration’s broader efforts to end wars, comparing its approach with the Abraham Accords. Kubilius said the United States had used its political and economic influence to encourage Arab countries to recognise Israel and normalise relations, while offering large economic projects.