Lithuania seeks to gain U.S. attention through Cuba and Rubio

Lithuania is attempting a new diplomatic approach to secure U.S. focus on Eastern Europe by aligning with Washington’s priorities in the Western Hemisphere, particularly regarding Cuba.

Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys recently attended the Miami Security Forum, where he highlighted issues such as narcoterrorism, mass migration, criminal dictatorships, and growing influence from Russia, China, and Iran—topics of strong interest to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The minister also met with Cuban-American human rights activists, including Rosa María Payá, Teo Babun, and Tony Costa, during the visit.

Lithuania’s strategic goal is to maintain U.S. attention on NATO’s eastern flank, where American military presence serves as a key deterrent against Russian aggression. However, the Trump administration has shown limited interest in Europe, instead prioritizing the Western Hemisphere. By engaging with Cuban opposition groups and criticizing Cuba’s communist regime, Vilnius aims to align with U.S. policy priorities and strengthen transatlantic ties.

Lithuania has long opposed communist regimes and only established diplomatic relations with Cuba in 2013. It remains the only EU member state not to have ratified the EU-Cuba Cooperation Agreement, citing concerns over supporting a government tied to authoritarian rule. In 2021, the Lithuanian parliament passed a resolution opposing ratification, and in 2025, Lithuania abstained from a UN vote calling for an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba, reportedly encouraging Ukraine to vote against the resolution as well.

“As allies, we must have clear interests, understand our allies’ interests, and see where they can help us and where we can help them—where our agendas overlap,” Budrys told LRT.lt. “Relationships cannot be one-way: when we need something, we should receive support in return.”

Budrys emphasized that Lithuania sees an opportunity to deepen cooperation with the U.S. in the Western Hemisphere, a region the Trump administration has designated as a top priority. “I see this as a win-win collaboration with America,” he said. “It opens possibilities for us to engage more actively in the Western Hemisphere, which they define as a first-tier zone of interest. We respond to that and hope to secure greater sustained allied attention to NATO’s eastern flank.”

Cuba’s communist government, led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, currently faces severe economic and political challenges. Venezuela, once a key ally providing oil and financial support, can no longer assist due to U.S. pressure following the detention of President Nicolás Maduro and the seizure of its oil industry. Mexico, which had previously sent oil to Cuba for humanitarian reasons, halted shipments under U.S. pressure last winter. Meanwhile, Russia and Iran, both distracted by their own regional conflicts, have reduced support to Havana.