The President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite

Lithuania cannot yet fully trust Russia, as it wants to keep the Baltic States dependent on its energy market, announced Dalia Grybauskaite, the President of Lithuania.

We are still almost one hundred percent dependent on Russian energy. People do not feel safe because of this. Although relations with our neighbouring country have become much more open, attaining more in-depth dialogue, it is yet too early to say we can relax and trust it. We know Russia tends to use its energy sources as a tool for exercising political influence, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung cites Grybauskaite.

According to her, Russia’s influence is manifested in the condition Lithuania pays 30 – 40% more for gas than Germany. This is a political influence and a necessity to dominate. It is possible only because we have no alternative sources of energy, the Lithuanian President points out.

Grybauskaite believes Russia wants the Baltic States to remain dependent on its energy market, not the European one. Yet this will not happen. We want to speed up construction of power connection with Sweden and build our own liquefied gas terminal, the President indicates.