On March 31, during the Radio Sivrtse [Radio Space] program “Midday Politics,” pro-government filmmaker Goga Khaindrava claimed that the European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, was a member of Gorbachev’s party.
Goga Khaindrava: “Well, when Kubilius is the defender of Europe’s security – this corrupt individual, a member of Gorbachev’s party…”
The claim that EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius was a member of the Communist Party is false. Kubilius was never a member of the Communist Party, neither during Gorbachev’s presidency nor before. Instead, he was actively involved in the Lithuanian independence movement and was a member of the reformist movement Sąjūdis, which played a key role in Lithuania’s independence from the Soviet Union. Kubilius’ communications team also confirmed this information to Myth Detector.
-
Andrius Kubilius’ Political Biography
Andrius Kubilius, the EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, has never been a member of the Communist Party. His political career began as a member of Sąjūdis, a reformist movement actively involved in restoring Lithuania’s independence from the Soviet Union.
Information about Andrius Kubilius’ political career is available on the websites of the Lithuanian Parliament, the Lithuanian Central Electoral Commission, the European Parliament, the European People’s Party, and Andrius Kubilius’ personal site:
1988 – Joined Lithuania’s reformist movement Sąjūdis.
1990–1992 – Served as the Secretary-in-Charge of Sąjūdis.
1992–2000 – Member of the Seimas of the 6th and 7th convocations from the Sąjūdis coalition.
1996–1999 – First Deputy Speaker of the Seimas.
1999–2000 – Prime Minister of Lithuania.
2000–2004 – Member of the 8th Seimas (Budget and Finance, and European Affairs Committees) from Lithuanian Conservatives.
2003–2015 – Chair of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats Party.
2004–2008 – Leader of the opposition and Deputy Speaker of the Seimas.
2008–2012 – Prime Minister of Lithuania.
2012–2016 – Leader of the opposition.
2016–2019 – Member of the Seimas.
2019–2024 – Member of the European Parliament (MEP), the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Human Rights.
From December 2024 to Present – EU Commissioner for Defense and Space.
On September 26, 2023, Lithuania’s public broadcaster published an article prepared by the media outlet “15min,” listing Lithuanian parliament members who had been members of the Communist Party. There is no mention of Kubilius in the article as a Communist Party member.
An online search revealed that the only Kubilius linked to the Communist Party, according to a Lithuanian journal on arts and sciences, was Jonas Kubilius, a former rector of Vilnius University. To verify any possible connection between Jonas Kubilius and Andrius Kubilius, Myth Detector contacted the EU Commissioner directly.
Andrius Kubilius’ communication team confirmed that he was never a member of the Soviet or any other Communist Party and has no connection to Jonas Kubilius.
Myth Detector also contacted the Lithuanian service of the fact-checking organization Delfi. Their research found no evidence that Kubilius was a member of the Communist Party.
-
The Sąjūdis Reform Movement and Its Role in Lithuania’s Independence
The reformist movement Sąjūdis, where Andrius Kubilius began his political career, was founded on June 3, 1988, under the leadership of Vytautas Landsbergis. Initially, it had 35 members, 17 of whom were also members of the Communist Party. The movement led the fight for Lithuania’s independence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In the pursuit of its goal to restore independence, the movement took significant steps.
Sąjūdis organized one of the most remarkable actions known as the Baltic Way on August 23, 1989 – a 600 km long human chain involving nearly 2 million people from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
The first free elections in Lithuania since World War II took place on February 24, 1990. Sąjūdis candidates won the majority of seats in the Supreme Council (now the Seimas). On March 11, 1990, the newly elected parliament, led by Vytautas Landsbergis, declared the restoration of Lithuania’s independence. The Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania was adopted, stating that Lithuania was no longer part of the Soviet Union. Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to do so.
Moscow did not immediately recognize Lithuania’s independence and imposed economic sanctions. In an interview, Andrius Kubilius himself has discussed this period. On January 23, 1991, Soviet military aggression in Lithuania resulted in the deaths of 14 peaceful protesters.
Lithuania officially gained international recognition of its independence from the Soviet Union on September 6, 1991.
The article has been written in the framework of Facebook’s fact-checking program. You can read more about the restrictions that Facebook may impose based on this article via this link. You can find information about appealing or editing our assessment via this link.
Read detailed instructions for editing the article.
Read detailed appeal instructions.
