Lithuania’s top diplomat drops bid for European Commissioner position

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has withdrawn his anticipated bid to become a European Commissioner, he announced on August 17.

The decision comes amid a significant dispute between Landsbergis, a prominent figure in Baltic politics, and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Despite support from key figures such as Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė and European People’s Party President Manfred Weber, Nausėda has not endorsed Landsbergis.

“It would have been a tremendous honour to serve as Lithuania’s European Commissioner,” Landsbergis stated on X, “but I will continue to support my country, aid Ukraine, and advocate for Europe’s future through other means.”

Landsbergis has requested that Šimonytė propose an alternative candidate for the president’s consideration.

Gaining international prominence after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Landsbergis has been a strong advocate for increased Western and U.S. support for Kyiv. Vilnius aims to secure the EU portfolio for membership enlargement, which is crucial for Ukraine’s agenda over the next five years, according to an anonymous Lithuanian official.

EU member states must submit their commissioner nominations to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen by August 30, according to a commission spokesperson.