Lithuanian Annual Strategic Review

The history of Lithuania's and Russia's national intercommunion is a basic part of their coexistence as well as the manifestation of their cultural life. However, their history plays a great role in the relationship between these two countries. And it is not a good sign when it includes not only a cultural, but also political sphere as well. Usually it points towards the fact that countries such as these still lack a steady civil identification and that their relations are still being influenced by various ideologies, myths, versions or simply speculations. Lastly, they may also have various and apparent, as well as theoretical pretences towards each other. Therefore these countries practically cannot develop normal relations built on partnerships and collaboration. On the other hand, this situation undermines history too. In practice it is being turned into an ideology, because competing countries do not need an objective history, but a version that grounds their position and disproves the opponents' one.