18 May 2026

Archived edition

Lithuania

Summary

Lithuania’s state audit office warned that the country is nearing its fiscal discipline limits as spending growth outpaces the legal ceiling. It said the general government deficit could reach about 3% of GDP in 2028, exceed that level in 2029, and debt rise from 45% to 55.3% of GDP by 2029.

The government is today considering a plan to channel about 1.8 billion euros of EU funds into apartment renovations and the green economy. The Environment Ministry has earmarked 522 million euros for climate measures in 2026-2029, including 492.5 million euros for renovations, and plans an autumn call worth nearly 900 million euros for about 640 projects. The European Commission has also approved another 153 million euros for Lithuania from the EU recovery and resilience facility, with payment expected in July after review by EU Council committees. The sixth request covered 18 milestones in health care, power generation, building renovation, digitalisation and social inclusion, and Lithuania plans to submit its final payment request in September covering the remaining 68 milestones.

Linas Liutkevičius told LRT he spent four months in two dugouts linked by a tunnel in Ukraine after his unit’s defensive line collapsed, before returning to Lithuania for treatment. He said soldiers at the position were repeatedly told extraction would come the next day, while captured Russian troops were held nearby in the same trench system. Lithuanian police handed 79 vehicles to their counterparts in Lviv over the weekend after a convoy reached western Ukraine following several days on the road via Poland. Ukrainian police will use the cars for patrols and emergency response in a region where wartime policing demands remain high.

Trade unions criticised the president’s labour-related proposal, saying it would create “modern slavery”. Lithuania is accelerating work to strengthen anti-drone systems, although officials say deployment will take time. A new survey also showed some public institutions remain far more trusted than politicians, with parliament and government at the bottom of the ranking.

Lithuania's defence minister said on Sunday morning authorities received information that a drone had violated Lithuanian airspace and then disappeared. In sport, Edas Butvilas beat the world No. 69 in an ATP event, one of the biggest wins of his career.

sources: lrt.lt, delfi.lt, vz.lt, lrytas.lt, 15min.lt, tv3.lt

Lithuanian soldier to Ukraine: thrown into the meat grinder, managed to escape after four months in a tunnel

Linas Liutkevičius told LRT he spent four months in two dugout shelters linked by a tunnel after his unit’s defensive line collapsed. He said troops at the position were repeatedly promised extraction the next day, while the trench system was shared with captured Russian soldiers held nearby. After that experience, he moved to another brigade and later returned to Lithuania for treatment.

Why it matters

The account shows what Ukrainian troops face when evacuation is delayed and rotations fail for months at a time. It also points to long-term medical and psychological support needs for fighters who return to Lithuania after front-line service.

sources:lrt.lt

Economy

State audit warns: Lithuania risks failing to meet fiscal discipline rules

Lithuania risks breaching fiscal discipline rules as spending growth outpaces the legal ceiling, the state audit office warned on May 18. It said the general government deficit could reach about 3 per cent of GDP in 2028 and exceed that level in 2029, while debt may climb from 45 per cent to 55.3 per cent of GDP by 2029. The watchdog said higher defence spending and a weak revenue base are squeezing fiscal room, leaving ministers to choose between armament and public services.

Why it matters

The choice will shape whether Lithuania can keep funding defence without cutting health care, education and other public services. The audit office says tax and social contribution revenue was 33.3 per cent of GDP in 2024, well below the EU average of 40.4 per cent.

sources:tv3.lt

Economy

1.8 billion euros of EU funds planned for apartment renovations, green economy

On 18 May 2026, the government is weighing a plan to channel about 1.8 billion euros of EU money into apartment upgrades and the wider green economy, with buildings set to take the biggest share. The Environment Ministry says Lithuania is planning 522 million euros for climate measures in 2026-2029, including 492.5 million euros for renovation of apartment blocks, private homes and public buildings. A new renovation call is due in the autumn, with almost 900 million euros earmarked for about 640 projects and larger subsidies under discussion for low-income households.

Why it matters

For apartment residents, the plan could mean lower heating bills and a smaller upfront burden if bigger subsidies are approved for low-income households. For municipalities and contractors, it would open a multi-year pipeline of work, with hundreds of projects and hundreds of millions of euros in play.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Historic convoy – Lithuanian police handed over 79 cars to Ukrainian colleagues

Lithuanian police handed 79 vehicles to their counterparts in Lviv over the weekend, after a convoy reached western Ukraine following several days on the road via Poland. The cars were collected from different police units across Lithuania and prepared under a separate aid scheme for Ukraine. Ukrainian police will use them for patrols and emergency response in a region where wartime policing demands remain high.

Why it matters

The extra vehicles give Lviv police more capacity for patrols, emergency response and basic civil order work during the war. For western Ukraine, the handover eases a real equipment shortage and keeps frontline-adjacent policing moving.

sources:lrytas.lt tv3.lt

Economy

EC approves support for Lithuania: 153 million euros to be allocated

The European Commission has approved another 153 million euros for Lithuania from the EU recovery and resilience facility, with payment expected in July after review by EU Council committees. The sixth request covered 18 milestones in health care, power generation, building renovation, digitalisation and social inclusion. Lithuania plans to submit its final payment request in September, covering the remaining 68 milestones.

Why it matters

The money underpins renovation, health-care and digital projects, so the timing of the payout affects when contractors and public bodies get paid for completed milestones. Lithuania has already paid out 2.408 billion euros to project implementers, so each new tranche eases pressure on public investment schedules.

sources:lrt.lt tv3.lt delfi.lt vz.lt

Crime

Tragic fire in Radviliškis district – body found at the scene

Firefighters found a charred male body after a blaze at a house in Radviliškis district, and police have opened an inquiry into how he died. The fire broke out in Šaukotas, where crews later extinguished the building and handed the scene over to investigators. Detectives are now checking whether the blaze was accidental or caused by something else, a question that will drive the forensic work and the next steps in the case.

Why it matters

For residents of Šaukotas, the case can mean prolonged police and fire service work, plus possible property losses if investigators find others were at risk. If forensic checks point to foul play, the file will move into a more serious criminal investigation.

sources:delfi.lt

Europe

Summary

The Kremlin moved to defend Vladimir Putin today after Ukraine launched more than 500 drones into Russia overnight, killing three people in the Moscow region and injuring four, according to Russian officials. In the previous wave of strikes, a woman was killed in Khimki and two men died in Pogorelki, about 10 km from the capital, while debris fell at Moscow’s largest airport. Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked Ukraine’s security service and armed forces for precise strikes on the Moscow area and said the balance on the battlefield was shifting.

Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was prepared, but the line from the Kremlin did little to calm fury among Russia’s pro-war camp. That camp is splitting between older loyalists tied to the state and a louder ultra-nationalist bloc of Z-bloggers demanding harsher measures and wider mobilisation. Russian strikes across Ukraine over the past day injured civilians in several regions, with nine wounded in Dnipro. A separate drone attack on Odesa injured two people and damaged homes.

Russian and pro-Russian outlets today pushed a false claim that Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau had opened a case against Olena Zelenska. NABU said the story was part of a disinformation campaign and urged the public to rely on official sources. Lithuania’s defence ministry said NATO jets in the Baltics were scrambled three times last week to identify and escort Russian aircraft, including two AN-12 transports, an AN-72, a SU-35 and a SU-24MR. Some of the aircraft flew without flight plans or transponders and without radio contact with the regional control centre.

At a technology event in Vilnius, a former Amazon executive said Asia treats digital tools as a growth engine while Europe still sees them mainly through risk and regulation. She warned that European companies delaying automation and artificial intelligence will lose ground to rivals already using both to scale.

Ukraine tested a new missile version capable of striking targets up to 2,000 kilometres away. In Libya, the death toll from the floods surpassed 3,000.

sources: lrytas.lt, vz.lt, 15min.lt, tv3.lt, delfi.lt, lrt.lt

Exclusive Ukrainian strike: myth of the 'invincible' Moscow collapsed in an instant

Ukrainian drones hit targets in Russia and near Moscow overnight on May 17, killing at least four people and wounding several more, according to Russian officials. One woman died in Khimki and two men were killed in Pogorelki, about 10 km from the capital, while debris fell on Moscow’s largest airport without causing damage. Kyiv cast the wave as retaliation after a run of heavy Russian strikes on Ukraine, and the attack again forced restrictions in Moscow’s airspace.

Why it matters

People living around Moscow and passengers at its airports face a higher risk that the war will spill into daily travel and public space. Russia will also have to divert more air-defence resources to protect the capital, which can leave fewer assets available elsewhere.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

War in Ukraine. After mass attacks in Russia – Kremlin supporters furious: Putin actions explained

On May 18, 2026, the Kremlin was forced to defend Vladimir Putin after overnight strikes in Ukraine and inside Russia triggered anger among pro-war propagandists, who accused the leadership of weak security and poor handling of the conflict. Recent reporting from LRT and 15min says the pro-war camp is split between old loyalists tied to the state and a louder ultra-nationalist Z-blogger current that wants harder measures and broader mobilisation. The dispute shows the war is now a political problem inside Russia as much as a military one, with the Kremlin trying to contain fury from its own supporters.

Why it matters

The split among Russia’s pro-war supporters makes it harder for the Kremlin to present a disciplined wartime message at home. If the anger widens, Moscow may have to spend more effort on internal control and less on shaping the war narrative abroad.

sources:lrytas.lt

Politics

After the attack on Moscow, Zelenskiy spoke of a shift in balance on the battlefield

Volodymyr Zelenskiy on May 18 thanked Ukraine’s security service and armed forces for precise strikes on the Moscow region. Russian officials said more than 500 drones were launched into Russia overnight, with three people killed in the Moscow area and four injured. The attack reached targets more than 500 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, underlining Kyiv’s growing long-range reach and raising the risk of retaliation from Moscow.

Why it matters

Residents in the Moscow region and Russia’s infrastructure are now farther from the front than before, with strikes reaching targets more than 500 kilometres from Ukraine’s border. That forces Moscow to spend more on air defence and internal security, while giving Kyiv added military and negotiating leverage.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

NATO jets scrambled three times last week to identify and escort Russian aircraft

Lithuania’s Defence Ministry said NATO jets in the Baltics were scrambled three times last week to identify and escort Russian aircraft that breached flight rules. The intercepts involved two AN-12 transports, an AN-72, a SU-35 and a SU-24MR, with some of the aircraft flying without flight plans or transponders and without radio contact with the regional control centre. NATO air policing in the Baltics is carried out from Lithuania and Estonia, giving the alliance a quick reaction posture over the region’s airspace. The latest episode adds to a steady stream of Russian military flights that force allied jets into the air on short notice.

Why it matters

For the Baltics, each scramble keeps NATO pilots and aircraft on continuous alert and adds to the cost of policing regional airspace. It also gives allies a fast reaction line if Russian military flights move closer to national borders or shut off tracking systems.

sources:lrytas.lt

Technology

Amazon-experienced expert: technology in Asia seen as growth engine, in Europe as risk

At a technology event in Vilnius on May 18, a former Amazon executive said Asia tends to treat digital tools as a growth lever, while Europe still views them first through the lens of risk and regulation. She said the gap is visible in how companies decide whether to adopt automation and artificial intelligence. Her message to European firms was blunt: move faster on deployment or fall behind rivals already using the tools to scale.

Why it matters

For European companies, the risk is slower productivity growth if they keep delaying automation and AI rollouts. Executives are being forced to balance compliance worries against the cost of losing ground to faster-moving Asian rivals.

sources:vz.lt

Politics

Russia spreads lies about an investigation into Zelenskiy's wife

Russian and pro-Russian outlets spread a false claim on May 18 that Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau had opened a case against Olena Zelenska, the wife of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. NABU said the story was part of a broader disinformation push aimed at weakening trust in Ukrainian institutions and sowing doubt during the war. The agency urged media and citizens to rely on official sources only.

Why it matters

For Ukrainians, the impact is practical: false claims about the presidential family are designed to erode trust in state institutions and anti-corruption bodies. In wartime, that makes it harder for officials to keep public communication credible and coherent.

sources:lrt.lt delfi.lt

World

Summary

Ukraine’s drone forces chief Robert Brovdi said Kyiv would keep striking targets inside Russia and push operations deeper behind the front line. His comments came after a major Ukrainian drone raid over the weekend that Russian officials said killed four people in the Moscow region and in Belgorod. President Volodymyr Zelensky linked the campaign to Russian strikes on Kyiv.

G7 finance ministers met on Monday to assess the economic fallout from the war with Iran and said they were ready to take all necessary steps to steady energy markets. France said the talks included possible use of strategic oil reserves, while officials examined risks to financial markets, global growth and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump again threatened Iran with total destruction. The White House also said China would buy at least $17 billion of U.S. agricultural products annually.

In the Middle East, Israeli forces intercepted ships from a flotilla bound for Gaza near Cyprus. Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least seven people over the past two days despite a ceasefire that, in historical context, took effect on April 17. Israel has continued hitting Hezbollah targets, including vehicles near Beirut and towns in the south.

NextEra Energy said it would buy Dominion Energy in a $66.8 billion all-stock deal, one of the biggest U.S. energy transactions of the year. The tie-up comes as electricity demand rises sharply from AI data centres, manufacturing reshoring and wider electrification. Amnesty International said at least 2,707 people were executed in 17 countries in 2025, the highest annual total it has recorded since 1981, with Iran accounting for at least 2,159 executions. The World Health Organization also declared an international emergency over an Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 80 people.

The United Nations called on Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza. The United States extended for 30 days sanctions exemptions covering Russian oil movements at sea. A new Ebola outbreak was recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

sources: 15min.lt, delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, lrt.lt, tv3.lt, vz.lt

Iran war. G7 finance ministers discuss economic impact of the war with Iran

G7 finance ministers met on Monday to weigh the economic fallout from the war in the Middle East and said they were ready to take all necessary steps to steady energy markets. France said the agenda included possible use of strategic oil reserves, while officials assessed the hit to financial markets, global growth and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The next step is more coordination if the oil shock and supply risks persist.

Why it matters

Oil swings feed straight into fuel prices, freight costs and industrial input bills across Europe. If G7 members tap strategic reserves or coordinate market action, they could blunt the price spike and ease inflation pressure.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

War in Ukraine: Ukraine's drone forces chief promises strikes in Russia: 'We will fight tirelessly'

Ukraine’s drone forces chief Robert Brovdi vowed on May 18 to keep striking targets inside Russia and to push operations deeper behind the front line. His comments came after a major Ukrainian drone raid over the weekend that Russian authorities said killed four people in the Moscow region and in Belgorod. Brovdi said the force can hit a broad range of targets across Russia, while President Volodymyr Zelensky linked the campaign to Russian strikes on Kyiv.

Why it matters

Russia’s oil, military and logistics sites are now under direct pressure, forcing Moscow to divert more resources to homeland defence. Civilians in Russian regions are also facing a growing risk of drone alerts and fatalities far from the front line.

sources:lrt.lt

Economy

$67 billion deal: two US energy giants align to meet electricity demand

NextEra Energy said on May 18 it will buy Dominion Energy in a $66.8 billion all-stock deal, tying together two of the biggest U.S. regulated utilities. The transaction lands as electricity demand climbs fast on the back of AI data centers, manufacturing reshoring and wider electrification. If approved, the combined company will have more scale to add generation and grid capacity, and to lock in long-term contracts with big power users.

Why it matters

Data-center growth is already straining U.S. grids and can raise the cost of connecting new customers. If regulators approve the deal, the merged utility should have more firepower to build generation and transmission, shaping costs and reliability for factories, tech firms and households alike.

sources:vz.lt

Politics

Amnesty International: executions reach the highest level in 44 years

Amnesty International said on May 18 that at least 2,707 people were executed in 17 countries in 2025, the highest annual total it has recorded since 1981. Iran drove most of the rise with at least 2,159 executions, while Saudi Arabia raised its tally to at least 356, including many drug cases. The group is pressing governments to stop executions and abolish the death penalty, while noting Belarus recorded no new death sentences or executions for the first time since 1994.

Why it matters

For families of prisoners in Iran, Saudi Arabia and other retaining states, the figures mean a higher risk of sudden executions after opaque legal processes. The report will also sharpen pressure on governments that use death sentences for drug and political cases, where rights groups say transparency and due process are often missing.

sources:lrt.lt delfi.lt

Politics

Seven people killed in Lebanon in Israeli strikes

Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least seven people over the past two days, the Lebanese health ministry said, with wounded also reported. Israel has kept up attacks on Hezbollah targets since an April 17 ceasefire took effect, including strikes on vehicles near Beirut and on towns in the south. The latest deaths add pressure on fragile talks over the border and show the conflict is still spilling beyond the frontier.

Why it matters

For people in southern Lebanon, the strikes mean roads, villages and market towns remain exposed even under a ceasefire. Families and businesses near Beirut face higher risks of displacement, travel disruption and further damage.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Two fighter jets crashed during US air show

Two military jets collided during an air show in the United States, and both pilots ejected and were taken for medical checks. The display was being watched by thousands of people over an air base, which led to the area being closed and flying halted. The military has opened an investigation to determine whether pilot error or a mechanical fault caused the crash.

Why it matters

Spectator safety is now the main issue, because the crash happened during a display over a crowded air show area. The findings could force tighter rules on maneuvers and stand-off distances at future events.

sources:delfi.lt