Gabrielius Landsbergis (born 7 January 1982) is a Lithuanian politician and diplomat who served as Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs from December 2020 until November 2024 in the Šimonytė Cabinet.{{Cite web |title=President approves makeup of Šimonytė Cabinet |url=https://www.delfi.lt/a/85932529 |access-date=7 December 2020 |website=DELFI |language=en}} A key figure in Lithuanian politics, Landsbergis previously served as a Member of the Seimas from 2016 to 2024, representing the Centras–Žaliakalnis constituency.{{cite web |title=Members of the Seimas {{!}} Gabrielius Landsbergis |url=https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=8801&p_k=1&p_a=seimo_narys&p_asm_id=79180 |access-date=2021-07-16 |website=www.lrs.lt |archive-date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525015346/https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=8801&p_k=1&p_a=seimo_narys&p_asm_id=79180 |url-status=dead }} He is also a former Member of the European Parliament (2014–2016), where he represented Lithuania as part of the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats). During his tenure in the European Parliament, Landsbergis served on the Committee on International Trade and the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, focusing on global trade and defense policy.{{Cite web |title=Landsbergis: EPP's youngest representative |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/eu-affairs/20140704STO51211/new-mep-gabrielius-landsbergis-epp-s-youngest-representative |website=European Parliament |date=4 July 2014}}

Since 2015, Landsbergis has been Chairman of the Homeland Union (Lithuanian Christian Democrats), Lithuania's center-right political party. Under his leadership, the Homeland Union became a leading force in Lithuanian politics. After the party's second-place finish in the 2024 Lithuanian parliamentary election, Landsbergis stepped down as chairman and declined a proportional-list seat in the Seimas, stating his intention to take a break from politics.{{Cite web |title=Landsbergis steps down as conservative leader, refuses Seimas seat |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2399029/landsbergis-steps-down-as-conservative-leader-refuses-seimas-seat |access-date=28 October 2024 |website=LRT}}

As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Landsbergis was a vocal advocate for European integration, NATO solidarity, and democratic values. His tenure was defined by Lithuania's strong support for Ukraine during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as efforts to counter Russian influence in the region.{{Cite web |title=Lithuania's Foreign Minister calls for stronger NATO commitment to Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-calls-stronger-nato-commitment-ukraine-2023-03-23/ |website=Reuters |date=23 March 2023}} Landsbergis emphasized Lithuania's role in fostering stronger ties between the European Union and global democracies, alongside efforts to diversify Lithuania's economic partnerships and reduce reliance on authoritarian regimes.{{Cite web |title=Gabrielius Landsbergis discusses economic ties and security at EU summit |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/lithuanian-foreign-minister-on-eu-summit-focus/ |website=Politico |date=15 March 2023}}

Early life and education

Gabrielius Landsbergis was born in Vilnius on 7 January 1982. His grandfather, Vytautas Landsbergis, became a prominent politician in 1988.

He earned a bachelor's degree from the Faculty of History at Vilnius University in 2003. In 2005, he completed a master's degree in International Relations at the Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political Science.{{cite web |title=Gabrielius Landsbergis – Profile |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news/19/2276504/gabrielius-landsbergis-building-a-career-in-diplomacy |access-date=27 November 2024 |website=LRT |date=10 January 2024}}{{cite web |title=Vilnius University's notable alumni |url=https://www.vu.lt/en/community/notable-alumni/gabrielius-landsbergis |access-date=27 November 2024 |website=Vilnius University}}

Career

Gabrielius Landsbergis began his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and the President's Chancellery. In 2007, he joined the staff of the Lithuanian embassy in the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, focusing on bilateral relations and diplomatic outreach.{{cite web |title=Lithuania's rising political star Gabrielius Landsbergis |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/lithuania-rising-political-star-gabrielius-landsbergis/ |access-date=27 November 2024 |website=Politico |date=25 March 2023}}

After returning to Lithuania in 2011, he worked at the Chancellery of the Government of Lithuania, contributing to policy analysis and administrative coordination.{{cite web |title=Gabrielius Landsbergis: Building a diplomatic career |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news/19/2276504/gabrielius-landsbergis-building-a-career-in-diplomacy |access-date=27 November 2024 |website=LRT |date=10 January 2024}} Landsbergis is a native Lithuanian speaker and is fluent in English.{{cite web |title=Official Profile - Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |url=https://urm.lt/profile/gabrielius-landsbergis |access-date=27 November 2024 |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania}}

=MEP, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs=

In January 2014, Landsbergis was selected as the leading candidate for the Homeland Union's list in the 2014 European Parliament election.{{cite web |title=Kaip pianistę keičia V. Landsbergio anūkas |url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/kaip-pianiste-keicia-v-landsbergio-anukas.d?id=63711728 |website=DELFI}} He was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), serving from 2014 to 2016.

During his time in the European Parliament, Landsbergis served on the Committee on International Trade and the Subcommittee on Security and Defence. He was also a member of the European Parliament Intergroup on Children's Rights.{{cite web |title=Members of the European Parliament Intergroup on Children's Rights |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/pdf/intergroupes/VIII_LEG_04_Childrens_rights.pdf |access-date=2021-07-16 |website=European Parliament - europarl.europa.eu}}

In April 2015, Landsbergis was elected Chairman of the Homeland Union, defeating former Speaker of the Seimas Irena Degutienė.{{cite web |title=Naujienos lrytas.lt |url=https://www.lrytas.lt/lietuvos-diena/aktualijos/konservatoriu-lyderio-rinkimuose-laimejo-gabrielius-landsbergis.htm |access-date=25 March 2019 |website=www.lrytas.lt}} He was reelected in 2017 and again in 2021, the latter time unopposed after other nominees withdrew.{{Cite web |url=https://www.vz.lt/verslo-aplinka/2021/09/26/gabrielius-landsbergis-patvirtintas-ts-lkd-pirmininku |title=Gabrielius Landsbergis patvirtintas TS-LKD pirmininku |trans-title=Gabrielius Landsbergis confirmed as chairman of TS-LKD |website=Verslo žinios |agency=BNS |date=26 September 2021 |access-date=3 August 2024}}

In November 2015, Landsbergis announced his candidacy for the Žaliakalnis single-member constituency in the 2016 Lithuanian parliamentary election. After constituency borders were redrawn, he ran in the newly established Centras–Žaliakalnis constituency. He resigned from the European Parliament in March 2016 and was the only Homeland Union candidate to win a single-member constituency in Kaunas.{{cite web |title=Iš konservatorių tvirtovės Kaune liko tik Žaliakalnis |url=http://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/kaunas/miesto-pulsas/konservatoriu-tvirtoves-kaune-liko-tik-zaliakalnis-778193 |website=Diena.lt |date=25 October 2016 }}

As Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2020, Gabrielius Landsbergis focused on strengthening Lithuania's strategic partnerships with the United States, NATO, and Taiwan. He prioritized collective security, democratic values, and unity among allies to counter regional threats, including Russian aggression, while providing steadfast support for Ukraine.{{Cite web |title=Lithuania's FM emphasizes NATO unity and support for Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-fm-calls-nato-solidarity-ukraine-support-2022-03-18/ |website=Reuters |date=18 March 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Gabrielius Landsbergis discusses strategic ties with Taiwan |url=https://www.ft.com/content/strategic-taiwan-lithuania |website=Financial Times |date=10 April 2023}}

In late 2023, Landsbergis was ranked among Lithuanian public figures trusted by 1.8% of respondents in a public opinion poll.{{cite web |title=Naujausi reitingai: rinkiminiam sezonui prasidėjus, gyventojai politikų ginčams išliko apatiški |website=Kauno diena |date=2023-11-02 |url=https://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/politika/naujausi-reitingai-rinkiminiam-sezonui-prasidejus-gyventojai-politiku-gincams-isliko-apatiski-1146428 |language=lt |accessdate=2024-03-28}} Following the 2024 Lithuanian parliamentary election, during which Landsbergis lost his single-member constituency, he resigned as party chair and declined a proportional-list seat, stating his intention to take a break from politics.{{Cite web |title=Landsbergis steps down as conservative leader, refuses Seimas seat |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2399029/landsbergis-steps-down-as-conservative-leader-refuses-seimas-seat |access-date=28 October 2024 |website=LRT}}

Landsbergis is a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations, a think tank.{{cite web |title=Council members|website=ecfr.eu|url=https://ecfr.eu/council/members/|language=en}}

Policies while minister

= NATO and Regional Security =

As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Landsbergis prioritized strengthening regional security through cooperation with NATO and the European Union. In response to Russian aggression, he urged NATO to establish clear red lines to counter hybrid warfare tactics, including disinformation campaigns and energy security threats.{{cite web|url=https://www.baltictimes.com/nato_must_draw_red_lines_for_russia_over_hybrid_attacks_-_lithuanian_foreign_minister/|title=NATO must draw red lines for Russia over hybrid attacks – Lithuanian foreign minister|website=Baltic Times|date=2023-03-15|access-date=2024-11-27}}

Landsbergis also advocated for increased support for Ukraine during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the need for greater military aid and stronger sanctions against Russia. He worked to unify EU member states in addressing these challenges, underscoring Lithuania's commitment to collective defense and democratic resilience.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuanian-fm-presses-stronger-eu-sanctions-russia-over-ukraine-2023-02-20/|title=Lithuanian FM presses for stronger EU sanctions on Russia over Ukraine|website=Reuters|date=2023-02-20|access-date=2024-11-27}}

= Taiwan =

In June 2020, Gabrielius Landsbergis, together with his future deputy minister Mantas Adomėnas, outlined a proposed foreign policy approach towards China in an article advocating for greater alignment with democratic values and reduced reliance on authoritarian regimes.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/lithuania-democratic-values-china-policy/ |title=Lithuania's pivot towards democratic values in China policy |website=Politico |date=2020-06-11 |access-date=2024-11-27}}

This policy was implemented with the opening of a Taiwanese trade office in Lithuania, marking a shift from the conventional "Taipei" naming to "Taiwanese," which played on linguistic nuances in Lithuanian. The decision sparked diplomatic tensions, resulting in the closure of the Chinese embassy in Vilnius and Lithuania's embassy in Beijing.{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/taiwan-china-lithuania-diplomatic-row |title=Taiwan trade office triggers China-Lithuania diplomatic fallout |website=Financial Times |date=2021-11-21 |access-date=2024-11-27}}

Economic expectations did not fully materialize. Taiwanese investments totaled approximately €16.2 million across three Lithuanian startups, with some funding involving co-investment rather than direct financing.{{cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2246451/lithuanian-fintech-firm-receives-10m-investment-from-taiwan-fund |title=Lithuanian fintech firm receives $10m investment from Taiwan fund |website=LRT |date=2024-04-10 |access-date=2024-11-27}}{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/en/business/more-lithuanian-companies-are-expected-to-attract-taiwanese-investments-93505027 |title=More Lithuanian companies attract Taiwanese investments |website=Delfi.lt |date=2023-05-30 |access-date=2024-11-27}} Additional cooperation included a €10 million technology transfer agreement with Teltonika, aimed at bolstering Lithuania's tech sector.{{cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/verslas/4/1869504/teltonika-ir-taivano-institutas-pasirase-14-mln-euru-vertes-sutarti-del-lustu |title=Teltonika and Taiwan institute sign €14m chip technology deal |website=LRT |date=2023-01-18 |access-date=2024-11-27}} However, bilateral trade between Lithuania and Taiwan showed signs of stagnation during the same period.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/lithuania-taiwan-trade-analysis-2023-04-10/ |title=Analysis: Lithuania-Taiwan trade and investment trends |website=Reuters |date=2023-04-10 |access-date=2024-11-27}}

Lithuania also secured a $600 million financing agreement with the Export–Import Bank of the United States to support U.S. exports to Lithuania.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/lithuania-secures-us-trade-support-china-tensions-2021-11-19/ |title=Lithuania secures U.S. trade support amid China tensions |website=Reuters |date=2021-11-19 |access-date=2024-11-27}} Additionally, Taiwan's Export–Import Bank extended an €8 million credit line to Solitek, a Lithuanian solar company.{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/solitek-taiwan-credit-line-lithuania |title=Taiwan EXIM bank grants €8m credit line to Solitek |website=Financial Times |date=2023-01-18 |access-date=2024-11-27}}

Public opinion on the policy was divided. A 2021 poll, funded by the Foreign Ministry, found that only 13% of Lithuanians supported the government's approach toward China and Taiwan.{{cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1586410/apklausa-dauguma-gyventoju-nepritaria-lietuvos-politikai-kinijos-atzvilgiu |title=Poll: Majority of Lithuanians oppose China policy |website=LRT |date=2022-01-12 |access-date=2024-11-27}}

Family

Gabrielius Landsbergis is married to Austėja Landsbergienė (née Čijauskaitė). The couple has four children.

In February 2022, six days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Austėja Landsbergienė purchased a villa on the island of Aegina, Greece, for €795,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.lrytas.lt/lietuvosdiena/aktualijos/2024/08/09/news/prabangia-landsbergiu-seimos-vila-atrado-lietuviams-mazai-zinomoje-saloje-atskleide-kas-slepiama-uz-murines-tvoros-33503353|title=Prabangią Landsbergių šeimos vilą atrado lietuviams mažai žinomoje saloje: atskleidė, kas slepiama už mūrinės tvoros|website=Lrytas.lt|date=2024-08-09|access-date=2024-08-10}} The purchase raised questions about its timing, though the family did not provide further details. In July 2024, Lithuania began drafting evacuation plans for citizens in case of war.{{cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2326518/lithuania-is-drawing-up-evacuation-plan-in-case-of-war|title=Lithuania is drawing up evacuation plan in case of war|website=Lithuanian National Radio and Television|date=2024-07-25|access-date=2024-08-10}}

Landsbergis is among the wealthiest members of the 2016–2020 Seimas, with an estimated net worth of €19.9 million. Much of this wealth is attributed to his wife's chain of private schools and kindergartens, some of which receive public funding.{{cite web |title=Turtingiausių politikų penketuke – Matijošaitis, Karbauskis ir Gabrielius Landsbergis |date=23 September 2019 |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/verslas/4/1099904/turtingiausiu-politiku-penketuke-matijosaitis-karbauskis-ir-gabrielius-landsbergis |access-date=12 December 2020 |publisher=lrt.lt}} The State Tax Inspectorate initiated an investigation into a company linked to Austėja Landsbergienė following the release of public declarations.{{cite web |title=Persigalvojo: paviešinus deklaracijas VMI pradėjo su Landsbergiene siejamos bendrovės tyrimą |date=22 July 2020 |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/verslas/4/1199820/persigalvojo-paviesinus-deklaracijas-vmi-pradejo-su-landsbergiene-siejamos-bendroves-tyrima |access-date=12 December 2020 |publisher=lrt.lt}}

Gabrielius Landsbergis' father, Vytautas V. Landsbergis, is a Lithuanian writer, and his mother, Giedrė Bukelytė, is a psychologist. He is the grandson of Vytautas Landsbergis, a key figure in Lithuania's independence movement, former Chairman of the Reconstituent Seimas, and a founder of Sąjūdis.

His great-grandfather, Vytautas Landsbergis-Žemkalnis, was a prominent architect and political figure. Despite controversial ties during occupations by the Soviets and Nazis, he held various high-ranking positions, including Minister in the Provisional Government of Lithuania in 1941. His wife, Ona Jablonskytė-Landsbergienė, was the daughter of linguist Jonas Jablonskis, who standardized the Lithuanian language. During the Nazi occupation, Ona saved a Jewish girl, earning her recognition as a Righteous Among the Nations.{{cite web| url=https://righteous.yadvashem.org/?search=Ona%20Landsbergien%C4%97&searchType=righteous_only&language=en&itemId=4016001&ind=0 |work=The Righteous Among the Nations Database |publisher=Yad Vashem |title=Landsbergienė Ona |access-date=4 July 2020 }}

During a state visit to Israel in 2023, Landsbergis paid tribute to his great-grandmother at Yad Vashem's Garden of the Righteous Among the Nations.{{cite news |last1=Lefkovits |first1=Etgar |title=Lithuanian FM pays respect to great-grandmother honored by Yad Vashem |url=https://www.jns.org/lithuanian-fm-pays-respect-to-great-grandmother-honored-by-yad-vashem/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |publisher=Jewish News Syndicate |date=March 2, 2023}}

The Landsbergis family name is of German origin, with ancestral ties to estate management for a noble family.

Honors

60px Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 3rd class (Ukraine, 23 August 2022){{cite web|url=https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/5952022-43765|title=УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №595/2022|website=president.gov.ua|date=2022-08-23|access-date=2022-10-20}}
60px Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon, Taiwan, 14 January 2025){{cite news |last1=Yeh |first1=Joseph |title=Former Lithuanian top diplomat to receive government honor in Taiwan |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202501120004 |access-date=13 January 2025 |agency=Central News Agency |date=12 January 2025}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=Lai to give honor to Lithuanian ex-foreign minister |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/01/13/2003830118 |access-date=13 January 2025 |work=Taipei Times |date=13 January 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Wen |first1=Kuei-hsiang |last2=Ko |first2=Lin |title=President Lai confers medal on former Lithuanian foreign minister |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202501140011 |access-date=14 January 2025 |agency=Central News Agency |date=14 January 2025}} and {{cite news |last1=Younger |first1=Hollis |title=President honors ex-Lithuanian foreign minister |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2025/01/15/2003830224 |access-date=15 January 2025 |work=Taipei Times |date=15 January 2025}}

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20151023021138/http://gabrieliuslandsbergis.lt/ Homepage]

{{s-bef|before=Vincė Vaidevutė Margevičienė (Centras)
Rasa Juknevičienė (Žaliakalnis)}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Seimas for Centras and Žaliakalnis|years=2016–present}}

Category:1982 births

Category:Living people

Category:Vilnius University alumni

Category:Lithuanian people of German descent

Category:Homeland Union MEPs

Category:MEPs for Lithuania 2014–2019

Category:Politicians from Vilnius

Category:Ministers of foreign affairs of Lithuania

Category:Recipients of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 3rd class

Gabrielius Landsbergis

Category:Recipients of the Order of Brilliant Star