Bashmet received the Order of Grand Duke Gediminas of Lithuania, IV degree, in 1999 “for promoting the development of Lithuanian musical culture and his contribution to the treasury of world music”.
Now, according to the administration of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, who signed a decree revoking the order, Bashmet has become “an active supporter of Vladimir Putin and Russian military aggression against Ukraine,” thus defaming the title of the awardee. Bashmet will be required to return both the order and its documents.
