VILNIUS — The presidents of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus all declined to attend Lithuania’s national celebrations of 20 years of independence.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė had sent invitations to her counterparts earlier in the year, inviting them to attend and acknowledge the progress made by the largest Baltic state, which was the first republic to declare [private_supervisor]independence from the Soviet Union. It has since then joined the European Union.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said previous engagements were to blame for him not attending the celebration, as did recently inaugurated Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also declined the invitation to attend, which was personally extended by the Lithuanian president.

Grybauskaitė is not taking the situation badly though, her spokesman told Baltic Reports.

“It depends on how you look at the glass. Indeed she looks at the glass as half full, not half empty. If take Medvedev’s case, the first time in eight years the Russians congratulated Lithuania on their independence,” Linas Balsys, spokesman for the president said. “In fact, this happened two times. First on Feb. 16 the first independence day, then for March 11, he sent a personal official letter to all Lithuanian people. In this way, he recognized independence two times.”

In his stead, Medvedev is sending the country’s transport minister.

Lukashenko also sent a congratulatory letter and extended an invitation to come to Minsk when it is convenient for the Lithuanian president, Balsys said. In Lukashenko’s place, the country’s vice prime minister will attend.

Balsys said the underlings sent to replace the heads of state showed a serious approach and respect for Lithuania.

The 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence will be celebrated with a four-day weekend fanfare articulated by concerts and art exhibitions. [/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]independence from the Soviet Union. It has since then joined the European Union.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said previous engagements were to blame for him not attending the celebration, as did recently inaugurated Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also declined the invitation to attend, which was personally extended by the Lithuanian president.

Grybauskaitė is not taking the situation badly though, her spokesman told Baltic Reports.

“It depends on how you look at the glass. Indeed she looks at the glass as half full, not half empty. If take Medvedev’s case, the first time in eight years the Russians congratulated Lithuania on their independence,” Linas Balsys, spokesman for the president said. “In fact, this happened two times. First on Feb. 16 the first independence day, then for March 11, he sent a personal official letter to all Lithuanian people. In this way, he recognized independence two times.”

In his stead, Medvedev is sending the country’s transport minister.

Lukashenko also sent a congratulatory letter and extended an invitation to come to Minsk when it is convenient for the Lithuanian president, Balsys said. In Lukashenko’s place, the country’s vice prime minister will attend.

Balsys said the underlings sent to replace the heads of state showed a serious approach and respect for Lithuania.

The 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence will be celebrated with a four-day weekend fanfare articulated by concerts and art exhibitions. [/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]independence from the Soviet Union. It has since then joined the European Union.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said previous engagements were to blame for him not attending the celebration, as did recently inaugurated Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also declined the invitation to attend, which was personally extended by the Lithuanian president.

Grybauskaitė is not taking the situation badly though, her spokesman told Baltic Reports.

“It depends on how you look at the glass. Indeed she looks at the glass as half full, not half empty. If take Medvedev’s case, the first time in eight years the Russians congratulated Lithuania on their independence,” Linas Balsys, spokesman for the president said. “In fact, this happened two times. First on Feb. 16 the first independence day, then for March 11, he sent a personal official letter to all Lithuanian people. In this way, he recognized independence two times.”

In his stead, Medvedev is sending the country’s transport minister.

Lukashenko also sent a congratulatory letter and extended an invitation to come to Minsk when it is convenient for the Lithuanian president, Balsys said. In Lukashenko’s place, the country’s vice prime minister will attend.

Balsys said the underlings sent to replace the heads of state showed a serious approach and respect for Lithuania.

The 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence will be celebrated with a four-day weekend fanfare articulated by concerts and art exhibitions. [/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]independence from the Soviet Union. It has since then joined the European Union.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said previous engagements were to blame for him not attending the celebration, as did recently inaugurated Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also declined the invitation to attend, which was personally extended by the Lithuanian president.

Grybauskaitė is not taking the situation badly though, her spokesman told Baltic Reports.

“It depends on how you look at the glass. Indeed she looks at the glass as half full, not half empty. If take Medvedev’s case, the first time in eight years the Russians congratulated Lithuania on their independence,” Linas Balsys, spokesman for the president said. “In fact, this happened two times. First on Feb. 16 the first independence day, then for March 11, he sent a personal official letter to all Lithuanian people. In this way, he recognized independence two times.”

In his stead, Medvedev is sending the country’s transport minister.

Lukashenko also sent a congratulatory letter and extended an invitation to come to Minsk when it is convenient for the Lithuanian president, Balsys said. In Lukashenko’s place, the country’s vice prime minister will attend.

Balsys said the underlings sent to replace the heads of state showed a serious approach and respect for Lithuania.

The 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence will be celebrated with a four-day weekend fanfare articulated by concerts and art exhibitions. [/private_subscription 1 year]

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