Pirmosios sovietinės okupacijos dienos Kazio Škirpos akimis: slaptas Lietuvos diplomato vizitas į Kauną
First Days of the Soviet Occupation in the Eyes of Kazys Škirpa: Secret Visit of Lithuanian Diplomat to Kaunas

Summary/Abstract: The article analyses the trip of a famous Lithuanian military officer, politician and diplomat Kazys Škirpa to Kaunas soon after the USSR occupation in 1940. As all representatives, K. Škirpa was not sure about what was happening in Lithuania. There was a question if soviets would annex Lithuania and sovietize the country or if Lithuania as a protectorate state with possible cultural autonomy would be enough for them. That is why, when the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of the so called People’s government, Prof. Vincas Krėvė, invited K. Škirpa to Kaunas, he used this opportunity to not only speak with his new superior. In addition to this, he secretly met with people who were not only frustrated about things happenning in Lithuania but were also ready to actively resist the occupation. K. Škirpa suggested them wait till the upcoming war between USSR and Germany that was obvious to K. Škirpa because of his good relations with German officials. Active resistance without the help of any other country seemed kind of suicidal to K. Škirpa so he offered an idea of creating underground communications in Lithuania and avoiding direct confrontation with soviets. This trip was very important to K. Škirpa not only because it allowed him to share his first-look knowledge to other Lithuanian diplomats and some of German officials but because it made him believe his exceptional mission in Lithuania’s path to the freedom.

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