(C) LITHUANIA WANTS NATO CONSENSUS ON MEDVEDEV

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000957 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2018 TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL NATO XG LH SUBJECT: (C) LITHUANIA WANTS NATO CONSENSUS ON MEDVEDEV PROPOSALS, IS SKEPTICAL ON ISKANDER REF: VILNIUS 923 Classified By: DCM Damian R. Leader for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) MFA Director of Transatlantic Cooperation and Security Policy Vytautas Leskevicius discussed with Post November 5 Lithuanian views on both the Medvedev Proposals and the recent Russian announcement of plans to deploy the short-range "Iskander" missile system in neighboring Kaliningrad. Leskevicius reiterated the Lithuanian view (reftel) that the Medvedev proposals are a Russian attempt to undermine NATO. He admitted, however, that the Lithuanians will be unable to avoid discussing the proposals because of current EU President France's desire for further engagement with Russia. ¶2. (C) Leskevicius said the Lithuanians want NATO to arrive at a consensus response to the proposals first, then the EU, then possibly the OSCE, before allowing the French to engage with Russia. Otherwise the GOL fears France will begin "speaking for all of Europe" regardless of existing political or security commitments. He also said any eventual discussion of the Medvedev proposals should also include lack of Russian action on the Istanbul Commitments, the CFE Treaty, and military withdrawal from Georgia and Moldova. ¶3. (U) In discussing Iskander, Leskevicius echoed public statements made by President Adamkus and DefMin Olekas that the Lithuanians are not surprised by Russian plans to deploy missiles in Kaliningrad. He said the Russians are misunderstanding the nature of U.S.-led Missile Defense systems planned for Europe, and reiterated an argument made most recently by Adamkus, that Medvedev is contradicting himself -- the Russians want a new security arrangement with Europe at the same time they plan to deploy short range missiles against European nations. ¶4. (C) Leskevicius admitted that Russian plans to deploy Iskander privately worries the Lithuanians, but he also expressed personal doubts that the Russians will follow through with these plans because they already have similar short-range missiles based in nearby Belarus. If Iskander is deployed, he noted, the Russians would then have two redundant and costly missile systems defending against the same perceived threat. CLOUD