The Lithuanian Minister of Culture resigned after he could not say whether the Crimea Peninsula belongs to Ukraine or Russia
The Kerci Bridge, which connects the Crimea Peninsula to Continental Russia, February 27, 2024. Photo source: Kommersant Photo Agency / DDP USA / Profimedia
The Lithuanian Minister of Culture, ignitas Adomavicius, from the far -right party Nemunas Dawn, said that a question about the legal status of Crimea is “provocative” and refused to answer. Subsequently, he announced his resignation, following the pressures exerted by Lithuania Prime Minister, Ruginian, notes Ukrainska Pravda.
Adomavicius said he resigned not because of personal mistakes, but because of the external pressures that, according to him, would have endangered his family safety.
According to the Lithuanian press, the minister had difficulty expressing his ideas. He thanked an unspecified community, spoke about the pressure on his family and, finally, said he was pleased to have managed to draw attention to the culture.
The controversy broke out after a journalist of the Lryt.lt news portal asked Adomavicius about Crimea's status.
“These are provocative questions, better to avoid them, because they do not belong to the Ministry of Culture … Let us not play these games. You understand, there is a limit that we should not go beyond. Here we have to stop. For such questions,” said Ignotas Adomavicius.
In Lithuania there were recently protests against the appointment of Adomavicius, representative of the Nemunas Dawn party, as Minister of Culture. Question signs were raised on his competence, and the statements made after a meeting with the president aroused additional criticisms.
The opposition in the Lithuanian Parliament asked Prime Minister Inga Ruginian to explain the decision to appoint Adomavicius as Minister of Culture.
A warning strike in the cultural and artistic sector in Lithuania is scheduled for next week.
