Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė (I. Ruginienė) affirmed that the Lithuanian government will not take any independent steps concerning the critical minerals agreement being negotiated with the United States. In a press briefing at the Lithuanian Parliament, she stated that discussions had already taken place with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, emphasizing that the government awaits final conclusions from the European Commission before making any decisions.

Ruginienė insisted on the significance of Europe presenting a consolidated position, highlighting that any agreement should be a collective decision rather than individual actions by member states. Earlier statements by Foreign Minister K. Budrys indicated a sense of urgency, suggesting that if the European Union does not progress swiftly towards finalizing an agreement, Lithuania might consider entering into a bilateral pact with the USA regarding critical minerals.

Budrys had recently visited Washington and participated in an international ministerial meeting focused on critical minerals, indicating Lithuania's proactive stance in engaging with the USA on such crucial issues. The underlying theme suggests a balancing act between national interests and the collective approach of the European Union, with potential implications for Lithuania's diplomatic posture and its relationship with both the EU and the USA regarding critical mineral resources.