Seeking Europe’s Next Foreign Policy Visionary

“With Russia’s full-scale invasion, we stepped up,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said in an interview with POLITICO. “But now, the well has run dry — the well of compassion, the well of understanding, the well of action. There’s no more water left; we’re just scraping at the sand.”

He expressed concerns about a growing sense of inward focus globally. “We’re constantly worried about isolationism in the U.S., about their turning inwards,” he noted. “But isn’t the EU also becoming isolationist? We’re increasingly consumed with internal issues, more focused on developments within the bloc.”

Landsbergis pointed out the challenges plaguing major EU nations. “The Germans are focused on upcoming elections and the rise of the far right. In the Netherlands, migration dominates the national debate. France is inward-looking as well, and there’s uncertainty over how their coalition government will function. Everywhere you look, domestic concerns are overshadowing broader global challenges.”

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The Eastern Front

The Baltic nations — Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia — have consistently taken a hardline stance on the threat posed by Moscow, shaped by their own history of Soviet occupation during World War II. As much of Western Europe is consumed with political turmoil, the Baltics remain vocal advocates for the EU to adopt a stronger global posture, often encountering reluctance from key players like Germany or outright resistance from countries like Hungary and Slovakia.

Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braže highlighted the Baltics’ unique position in shaping European foreign policy. “Our understanding of the threats from Russia is deeply ingrained across all sectors — civil, military, nongovernmental, economic, and private. This enables a coordinated response,” she said.

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Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže believes the Baltics are uniquely positioned to lead European foreign policy. | Ralf Hirschberger/AFP via Getty Images

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Braže also highlighted the disparity in focus among EU states. “In some countries, this understanding is fragmented. Economic interests and profits often take precedence over security concerns or the enforcement of sanctions,” she explained.

She emphasized how this impacts shared responsibilities. “When other member states fail to properly oversee what goods are being shipped to Russia, the burden falls on border nations like ours to monitor and police what’s leaving the EU.”