ABSTRACT
At the start of its restoration of independence in the 1990s, Lithuania chose the United States as its main guarantor of security. This is a typical security strategy for a small country trying to offset a potential aggressor, in Lithuania’s case – Russia. Lithuania’s unconditional loyalty to the United States was especially strengthened leading up to 2004, as it was the main sponsor of Lithuania’s NATO membership. However, Grybauskaitė’s attitudes and rhetoric towards the United States in 2009–2010 took a turn from the usual Lithuanian political habits. The President demanded respect and more attention to Lithuania and at the same time rejected President Obama’s invitation to have dinner in Prague in 2010. It seemed to be the end of an era of unconditional loyalty to the United States. However, after 2014, Grybauskaitė returned to supporting the United States and avoiding criticism of Donald Trump. This shift of attitude was determined by the changing international climate – security once again became a priority of Lithuanian politics, and the President could no longer afford to risk losing favour and attention of the United States.
