Vygaudas Ušackas


Vygaudas Ušackas is a former Lithuanian diplomat, from September 2013 to October 2017 he served as the European Union's Ambassador to Russia. Prior to that he served as the EU Special Representative for Afghanistan. Prior to heading Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ušackas was the Ambassador of Lithuania to the United States and Mexico from 2001 through 2006, then Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Founder of Mission Siberia.

Early life and education

Vygaudas Ušackas was born in 1964 in Skuodas, Lithuania.
In 1982 he finished Skuodas school and enrolled to the Vilnius University, there he received law degree in 1990. Later he continued his studies at the University of Oslo, Norway and the Aarhus University, Denmark, specializing in international politics and trade.

Diplomatic Service

Between 1992 and 1996 he worked as an adviser to Lithuania's mission to NATO and European Community, soon afterwards he assumed post Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Between 2000 and 2001 he was the chief negotiator of Lithuania's accession to the European Union.
After the 2008 election, Andrius Kubilius presented Vygaudas Ušackas as candidate for the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs to President Valdas Adamkus.
On 22 March 2010 he was appointed by Catherine Ashton as the European Union's special envoy for Afghanistan.
As of 1 September 2013 Vygaudas Ušackas serves as Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation to the Russian Federation.
In 2019, Vygaudas Ušackas announced leaving politics to start a career in business.

Private life

He has two children: Raimundas, who was born in 1991, and Paula, born in 1993. In addition to the Lithuanian language, which is his native language, he is fluent in English, Russian and French. After leaving politics, Vygaudas Ušackas became Member of the Board of Directors at Avia Solutions Group.