The "Lithuanian factor" in Sweden’s attitude towards ideas of a Baltic union in the 1920s

ENThe analysis examines Sweden’s attitude towards the various ideas of a Baltic – Baltic-Scandinavian – Union in the 1920s whilst paying attention to Lithuania as the most vulnerable Baltic country primarily because of the Polish-Lithuanian conflict over Vilnius. The Swedish attitude towards the Baltic States in the 1920s in general and their union in particular lay grounded largely on the Baltic States recent emergence as independent polities. Lithuania was, however, helpful to Sweden as an unofficial partner in attempts to detach Finland from the Baltic States and foster Finland’s Scandinavian orientation. Sweden’s favourable view towards the vision of a little Baltic union – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – was also convenient for Lithuanian purposes. Lithuania was to receive equal treatment with Latvia and Estonia even if in the eyes of Swedish diplomats it was the weakest and most vulnerable of the three.