Baltic Hero Criticizes West's Weakness Against Putin

VILNIUS — Vytautas Landsbergis, a key figure in the Baltic nations' fight for independence from the Soviet Union, expressed concern that the West has overlooked critical lessons from that era. In an interview with POLITICO, the 91-year-old former Lithuanian leader emphasized the need for a stronger response to the threat posed by Vladimir Putin, particularly in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. Landsbergis, who served as Lithuania's first head of state post-independence and has a grandson currently in the foreign minister role, criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for not taking decisive action against Russia. While acknowledging Germany's significant military aid to Ukraine, Landsbergis argued that Scholz's recent moves to cut aid reflect a dangerous complacency. He described the Chancellor as "unconsciously an assistant to a killer," suggesting that more robust support is essential to counteract Russian advances. Scholz has maintained that Germany will continue to support Ukraine, but critics argue that his reluctance to provide long-range missiles and other advanced weaponry undermines Ukraine's defense capabilities. In response to potential threats, Germany plans to deploy 5,000 soldiers to Lithuania by 2027, marking its first permanent troop presence abroad since World War II. However, Lithuanian journalist Ruslanas Iržikevičius contended that merely defending Ukraine is insufficient; he urged for a strategy that empowers Ukraine to launch counterattacks, warning that failure to do so could lead to Russian forces encroaching on EU and NATO borders.