INTRODUCTION . . 11 THE PROBLEM OF LITHUANIA'S INDEPENDENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE WEST AND THE USSR . . 16 THE VIABILITY OF THE 11 MARCH ACT PUT TO THE TEST . . 22 THE COURSE OF LITHUANIA'S PARALLEL NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE USSR AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION Phase I: from the end of Lithuania's economic blockade on 1 July 1990 to the armed aggression of 13 January 1991 . . 34 Phase II: from the armed aggression of 13 January 1991 to the international recognition of Lithuania and the end of the Soviet Union's existence . . 57 Negotiations between the Republic of Lithuania and the Russian Federation regarding the withdrawal of the occupation troops from Lithuania in 1991-1992 . . 74 CLOSING REMARKS . . 93