Vilnius is in dilemma; either the Russian Prime Minister Putin or the Polish PKN Orlen is lying.  Whom to believe; either the de facto ruler of the largest country in the world, or strategic and historical ally Poland?

During their first meeting in Helsinki Prime Minister Putin confirmed to  President Grybauskaite that the Russians are in negotiations to buy Orlen Lietuva.  This is the largest oil refinery in the Baltics formerly known at Mazeikiu Nafta,.  After the meeting Grybauskaite’s Spokesperson Linas Balsys said to BNS, “Putin confirmed that talks on Mazeikiu Nafta are under way with the Poles.”  However, PKN Orlen spokesman Dawid Pirkarz said to the Polish news agency, “Such talks are not under way.”

The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Azubalis stated that the Lithuanian institutions should evaluate the effects on Lithuania’s security of the refinery being sold to a Russian company.  He suggested discussing the issue during a meeting of the State Defence Council.

The Lithuanian commentators have mixed views on the issues.  For instance the Chief Analyst of the DnB Nord Bankas Rimantas Rudzkis is convinced that the Russians will control some share of the refinery.  He said to Delfi.lt,, ‘I think that sooner or later, at least some of the shares will be sold to the Russians, since they have the oil and they know how to use it.’ 

The Lithuanian media wrote that  Polish PKN Orlen is considering selling Orlen Lietuva refinery if it fails to secure control over Klaipedos Nafta oil terminal.