Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis is suspected of purchasing a villa in Greece shortly before the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, raising concerns that he was preparing for a potential escape if hostilities spread.
Lithuanian opposition lawmakers have alleged that Landsbergis was preparing to flee the country ahead of the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict, fearing the possibility of hostilities spilling over into Lithuania. These accusations stem from reports that Landsbergis’ wife made a €250,000 ($273,000) down payment on a luxury villa on a Greek island in February 2022, just before the fighting began between Russia and Ukraine.
According to the Lithuanian news outlet Lietuvos rytas, the property comprises a 313 square-meter house with two terraces and a 23 square-meter guesthouse. Both Lithuanian and Greek flags have reportedly been seen on the villa’s grounds, which are reportedly concealed from view behind a tall fence.
“It was clear that war in Ukraine was inevitable. It is obvious that Landsbergis, in the face of a difficult geopolitical situation, was ready to sharpen his skis,” opposition MP Agnes Sirinskiene told Delfi, expressing her shock at the timing of the purchase.
Landsbergis has not yet publicly responded to these accusations, as he is currently on vacation and not expected to return to work until September.
Meanwhile, the news outlet Respublika has reported that opposition MPs are preparing a series of questions for the foreign minister to be addressed at the next plenary session of the Lithuanian parliament.
“If some other family had bought real estate somewhere on the island just before the war, it might not have raised much suspicion. However, when the minister of foreign affairs, who probably has the most information about the possible war in Ukraine, behaves in this way, it requires explanations,” Lithuanian MP Aidas Gedvilas said.
Landsbergis, who has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, has repeatedly warned that Russia might attack another European country if allowed to prevail in Ukraine. He has also called for regime change in Moscow and urged NATO to provide the Ukrainian military with “everything we have.”
Russia has repeatedly condemned Landsbergis’ statements, describing his “extremist” ideas as “unacceptable behavior for the head of a foreign ministry.” Moscow has imposed personal sanctions on the minister and threatened him with criminal liability for his calls to overthrow the Russian government.