Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius recently told the Baltic Times he feels Hybrid Warfare attacks on Lithuania by the Russian Federation are a real threat, should a Moscow House (Dom Moskvy) Russian cultural centre open in the Lithuanian capital.

Šimašius, who was elected Vilnius Mayor in March 2015, met with Russia's ambassador to Lithuania, Alexander Udaltsov, in Vilnius on July 6.

Following the meeting, Šimašius questioned the necessity for a Dom Moskvy in Vilnius, adding "there is a big question mark over the adequacy of the project, which was launched years ago."

The Dom Moskvy project was approved by previous Vilnius Mayor, Arturas Zuokas, in 2004.

When asked by the Baltic Times whether he is concerned Hybrid Warfare methods are a possibility in Vilnius should a Dom Moskvy be opened, Šimašius replied: "Hybrid War methods will definitely be introduced into all activities, which includes cultural activities.

"Looking at Dom Moskvy, and looking at examples in other countries, unfortunately we now see everything in Russia is integrated [to the state].

"Of course we are worried about this and it brings very serious doubts about the need for a Dom Moskvy in Vilnius."

Despite his concerns and the recent political tensions between Lithuania and Russia, Šimašius outlined Russian culture has played an important role in the history of Vilnius.

"There is no problem with Russian culture in Vilnius," the mayor continued.

"We're a country that welcomes Russian culture and Vilnius was the rescue place for Russian cultural activists for many centuries."

Šimašius also revealed he declined an invitation from Ambassador Udaltsov to visit Crimea.

"If an ambassador is to invite me to Crimea, then I will only happily accept the invitation if it's from the Ukrainian Ambassador [to Lithuania]."

"This is what I told Mr. Udaltsov."

Šimašius also explained he was initially undecided whether to make the invitation and his refusal of it public.

Like the majority of other European Union member states, Lithuania is supporting the Ukrainian Government against Russian aggression its Eastern region, and like its EU peers, it refuses to acknowledge the Kremlin's annexation of Crimea.

Šimašius explained he felt it his personal and political duty to to snub the invitation.

"It is very clear to me this [invitation] is part of a very clear strategy to devalue very clear principles, and bring the idea the annexation and occupation of Crimea was not an occupation," he continued to the Baltic Times.

"Of course, we are not willing to support this kind of behaviour in any way, and that included me keeping silent about the invitation."

Upon being elected earlier this year, Šimašius became the first Liberal mayor of Vilnius in the city's post-Soviet history.

Lithuanian gained independence from the USSR in 1991.