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He became Grand Duke when he and his brother, Kestutis, returned from a military campaign in Ruthenia. The Grand Duchy at that time was ruled by his younger brother Jaunutis, but he and Kestutis forced the young grand duke to abdicate his throne. Although he and Kestutis ruled Lithuania jointly it was clear that Algirdas was the senior person in this partnership.

Algirdas made good use of the stable administration built by his father Gediminas, and continued the expansion of the Grand Duchy. He was faced with attacks by the Teutonic Order but managed to thwart an invasion. In 1362 he conquered Kyiv, exploiting the internal weaknesses of the Golden Horde.

He died in May, 1377 and was succeeded by his younger son Jogaila.