Bajarūnas’s professional trajectory is marked by high-stakes assignments, most notably as the Lithuanian Ambassador to the United Kingdom , Sweden , and Russia . His tenure in Moscow (2020–2022) coincided with one of the most volatile periods in modern history—the escalation and eventual commencement of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Bajarūnas has described this period as the "toughest assignment" possible for a Lithuanian diplomat, characterized by the collapse of traditional diplomacy in the face of open aggression.
In an era defined by shifting global alliances and the emergence of non-traditional security threats, few individuals have been as centrally positioned in the Baltic diplomatic landscape as Eitvydas Bajarūnas. A career diplomat with over three decades of service, Bajarūnas has represented Lithuania in some of its most critical international roles. His career offers a lens through which to view the evolving challenges of the 21st century, from conventional warfare to the complexities of hybrid threats. Eitvydas_beirunas.mp4
Eitvydas Bajarūnas represents the modern face of Baltic diplomacy: strategic, resilient, and deeply integrated into international security frameworks. Whether managing the total breakdown of relations with a hostile neighbor or advising on the nuances of hybrid defense, his career reflects Lithuania’s proactive stance on the global stage. As the security architecture of Europe continues to transform, the insights and experience of veteran diplomats like Bajarūnas remain essential for navigating the uncertainties of the future. In an era defined by shifting global alliances
His involvement in the aftermath of the Bucha and Mariupol atrocities in 2022 highlights the human dimension of his work. While navigating the diplomatic downgrading of representation in Moscow, he was personally involved in the difficult task of repatriating the remains of Lithuanian filmmaker Mantas Kvedaravičius, who was killed in Mariupol. Eitvydas Bajarūnas represents the modern face of Baltic
His strategic vision extends to Lithuania’s role within and the European Union . Having served as the Deputy Ambassador at the Mission of Lithuania to NATO, he has been a vocal proponent of increased Allied presence and investment in regional security infrastructure to counter the strategic ambitions of China and Russia in the Arctic and Baltic regions.
Beyond his roles as a resident ambassador, Bajarūnas has established himself as a leading expert on hybrid warfare . Serving as the Ambassador-at-Large for Hybrid Threats, he has consistently advocated for governmental coordination and robust crisis management to combat non-military aggression. His work with the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) and the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center (GSSC) focuses on strengthening deterrence in the Baltic-Nordic region.
Bajarūnas’s diplomatic practice is underpinned by a rigorous academic background, including a Master of Arts in War Studies from King’s College London. This intellectual foundation is evident in his frequent contributions to security discourse, including lectures at institutions like Stanford University and his articles on energy security and geopolitical fragmentation published in Modern Diplomacy .