Lithuanian president sacks culture minister who did not know whether Crimea is Ukrainian or Russian

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has signed a decree dismissing Culture Minister Ignotas Adomavičius, who refused to answer a question about the legal status of Ukrainian Crimea, which is temporarily occupied by Russia.

Source: European Pravda, citing Delfi, a Baltic states news website

Details: Raminta Popovienė, Lithuania's Minister of Education, Science and Sport, will temporarily take over the duties of the culture minister.

Following Adomavičius' appointment as the new minister of culture, a wave of outrage ensued. His competence was questioned, and his remarks came under criticism.

Background:

• On 3 October, when a journalist from lrytas.lt asked Adomavičius about Crimea's legal status, he failed to answer and accused the reporter of provocation.
• He announced his resignation following pressure from Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė.
• After leaving office, Adomavičius finally answered the question, saying that Crimea is a Ukrainian territory, though it is, unfortunately, occupied at the moment.

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