Lithuania Could Break EU Ranks Over Critical Minerals Deal

Lithuania is signaling it may strike its own critical minerals deal with Washington if the EU can’t finalize a bloc-wide agreement quickly enough, a top Lithuanian official told Bloomberg this week. If it follows through, it could become the first EU member to break ranks and pursue a standalone minerals pact with the U.S., potentially setting off a domino effect among other security-focused states in Eastern Europe. Lithuania’s goal is to secure reliable access to the materials its engineering and defense sectors depend on. Vilnius…