Stanford University Libraries Host the Ambassador of Lithuania with Public Conversation on Transatlantic Security in the Baltic Region

Stanford University Libraries welcomed the Ambassador of Lithuania to the United States, Ms. Audra Plepytė, along with the newly appointed Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Ms. Sandra Brikaitė, on October 22, 2024. The visit strengthened Lithuania’s partnership with the Libraries’ Baltic Program and provided an opportunity for Ambassador Plepytė to discuss transatlantic security in the Baltic region. 

In a meeting with University Librarian and Vice Provost, Michael Keller; Assistant University Librarian for External Relations, Anh Ly; and Curator for Estonian and Baltic Studies, Liisi Esse, the Ambassador discussed Stanford-Lithuania collaboration in the form of student and scholarly exchange and partnering with Lithuanian libraries, museums, and archives. The conversation on collaboration continued later with Professor Scott Sagan and Professor Harold Trinkunas at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) as they explored how to grow the newly launched fellowship program between FSI’s Center for International Security and Cooperation and Vilnius University in Lithuania.

Ambassador Plepytė also met with several Stanford faculty members and fellows whose work covers politics and economy in the Baltic States, Eastern Europe and international security and relations. Over lunch, they discussed issues related to her upcoming conversation about the security of Lithuania and the Baltic region with the ongoing Russia’s war against Ukraine. The visit concluded with a public conversation between Ambassador Plepytė and Professor Michael McFaul, Director of the FSI,  entitled “Whatever Victory Takes: The Lithuanian Perspective on Russia’s War against Ukraine and Transatlantic Security.” Ambassador Plepytė and Professor McFaul talked about the various implications of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine for the Baltic region and transatlantic security. Both emphasized the importance of continued and increased support for Ukraine to an audience of Stanford faculty, staff, students, and members of the general public who filled the auditorium to its full capacity.

The evening event ended with Ambassador Plepytė presenting Professor McFaul with the Knight's Cross of the Order "For Merit to Lithuania". The Order recognizes Professor McFaul’s support to Lithuania and the Baltic region from the President of the Republic of Lithuania. 

A recording of the public conversation is available on the Libraries’ YouTube channel.