Čečėnijos problema Lietuvos diplomatijoje: asmeninio dienoraščio pėdsakais

ENThe push for this study was made by a copy of the manuscript of The Chechen Diary by Romualdas Ozolas. It describes a trip to Grozny by two Lithuanian members of Parliament: Romualdas Ozolas and Algirdas Patackas, which took place in the beginning of December, 1994. It had to be a sign of Chechen goodwill – a public handover of Russian prisoners. This international mission of mediation later became one of the tools of diplomacy of the Second Republic of Lithuania. It was used on various occasions (only on a higher level and in a wider format) by President Valdas Adamkus (during the Georgian Rose Revolution in 2003 and the Ukrainian Orange Revolution in 2004). The failed attack of the Russian mercenaries, which began on 26 November 1994, could be considered the precursor of an unconventional war, which Russia later used in Crimea and Donbass. While solving vital problems of its own statehood, the official Vilnius had to follow careful tactics in its dealings with the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. Its position on the Chechen question was reflected in various documents passed by the Lithuanian Parliament: statements, decisions, resolutions. The official Vilnius regarded Chechnya as a part of Russia, but urged to solve its problem by peaceful means. Other countries took a similar position. Nevertheless, Lithuania helped to solve the statehood problem of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria by using several forms of diplomatic activity. First of all, unofficial contacts were made between politicians of the two countries, which were needed by the Chechens who wanted Vilnius to perform the role of an advocate in the relations between Grozny and Moscow.