Lietuvos energetinė (ne)priklausomybė ir šalies saugumas ; Energy (in) dependence and national security of Lithuania

Abstract

This article analyses the status of the energy (in)dependence of Lithuania, as well as the effects it may have on the national security. The legacy of the soviet era in Lithuania is an energy infrastructure that conditions absolute dependence of certain energy sectors upon the imports of energy resources from Russia. The article argues that ambitions of Russia are not limited to just this kind of structural influence: Russia is making efforts to strengthen its position in the energy sector of Lithuania even more, by acting all in one with the largest energy companies of its own country, as well as through mediators and/or other means. The use of economic leverages for political ends is an exceptionally firm line in the current foreign policy of Russia, which is also translated into practice of international relations. In the light of the above, expanding influence of Russia in the Lithuanian energy sector prompts negative assessment of the energy independence and national security prospects in future.