Main narratives:
- General anti-government sentiments;
- Support for Ukraine is ineffective;
- The incompetence of the government;
- Anti-support for Ukraine,
- Discrediting Ukraine and its effort to win the war.
Overview:
Over the past week, Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania gradually shifted away from the intense focus on the new coalition and the silent protests against “Nemuno Aušra” joining it. While these topics were still actively mentioned, they no longer dominated the narrative. Instead, the media broadened their coverage to include a wide variety of issues, though much of it remained critical of Lithuania’s political leadership.
The outgoing government was a primary target, with narratives highlighting what was portrayed as its failures and poor policy decisions. These criticisms were often linked to claims about the country’s steadily worsening living conditions, emphasizing rising costs, economic instability, and diminishing quality of life. Such stories aimed to underscore dissatisfaction with both current and previous administrations.
Furthermore, Kremlin-aligned outlets continued to escalate rhetoric around Lithuania’s support for Ukraine. They framed the assistance as excessive, unjustified, and detrimental to Lithuania’s citizens, painting it as an unnecessary burden at a time when the country allegedly faces mounting domestic challenges. These discussions sought to foster resentment towards the government’s foreign policy and question its priorities, particularly in supporting Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict.
