Lithuania is a Baltic member of NATO and the European Union, with Vilnius as its capital. It borders Latvia, Poland, Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad region, placing it on the Alliance's eastern edge. The Suwałki corridor links Lithuania and the other Baltic states by land to Poland. That narrow connection makes Poland the country's direct land route to the rest of NATO territory.

Energy policy reflects the same security concerns. Lithuania stopped importing Russian gas on 1 April 2022 and uses the Klaipėda liquefied-natural-gas terminal, whose floating unit is named Independence. KN Energies operates the terminal. The terminal gives Lithuania a seaborne supply route outside Russian pipelines and supports the country's wider effort to reduce direct dependence on Russian energy.

Key Issues

Defence industry

Lithuania imports Ukrainian drone knowledge

On 18 June, Lithuanian manufacturer RSI Europe signed a memorandum with Ukraine's The Fourth Law to make drones in Lithuania using Ukrainian technology. The plan gave Ukrainian workers priority and extended Kyiv's model of exporting manufacturing knowledge rather than finished weapons.

For Lithuania, the agreement could add local production to a security policy shaped by proximity to Russia and Belarus. It remains a plan rather than proof of an operating factory or delivered output. RSI Europe's separate delivery of drones to an unnamed NATO buyer shows an existing industrial base, but the memorandum alone does not establish the new line's scale or start date.

Common Questions

What is the Suwalki Gap and why does it matter to Lithuania?

The Suwalki Gap is the land connection between Poland and Lithuania. NATO describes it as a strategic route linking the Baltic states with other allied territory.Source: https://www.nato.int/en/multimedia/multimedia/videos/2026/01/12/natos-presence-in-poland

Why is Lithuania on ACER's May 2026 derogation list for gas network codes?

Lithuania's regulator requested a derogation for interconnection points with non-EU countries. ACER assessed requests under rules extending gas network codes to those points from 5 August 2026.Source: https://www.acer.europa.eu/news/acer-provides-its-opinions-derogations-eu-gas-network-codes-third-countries-interconnection-points

Does Lithuania have its own LNG terminal?

Yes. The Klaipėda LNG terminal uses the floating storage and regasification vessel Independence. KN Energies operates the terminal, which began operating in 2014.Source: https://knenergies.lt/en/independence-turns-11-11-facts-about-the-klaipeda-lng-terminal/

When did Lithuania stop importing Russian gas?

Lithuania's energy ministry dates the end of Russian gas imports for Lithuania to 1 April 2022.Source: https://enmin.lrv.lt/en/news/support-for-ukraines-energy-sector-has-exceeded-eur-6-million-and-new-aid-projects-are-finalised/

Why is Lithuania manufacturing drones for Ukraine?

RSI Europe says its June 2026 agreement with The Fourth Law aims to strengthen Ukraine's combat capability and defence production in Lithuania.Source: https://rsieu.com/rsi-europe-signs-memorandum-of-understanding-with-ukraines-the-fourth-law-to-produce-thousands-of-drones/

Source Material

Gas network code derogations Drone manufacturing memorandum Support for Ukraine's energy sector Independence turns 11 NATO's presence in Poland About Lithuania