Budrys at the Council meeting: Tonight's attacks on Kyiv prove once again that there are no red lines for Russia
On 15 June, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys participates in the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg. The main topics of the meeting were the EU's support for Ukraine and measures to increase pressure on Russia.
On 15 June, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys participates in the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg. The main topics of the meeting were the EU's support for Ukraine and measures to increase pressure on Russia.
When speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Budrys welcomed today's agreement of Foreign Ministers to open the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova, but stressed that the goal has not yet been achieved. The negotiations process has to be accelerated to meet the 2030 membership target for Ukraine and Moldova.
"We must take the next step – open all six negotiating clusters, i.e., the remaining five ones before the summer break. We need to accelerate the process and be ready to open them in July," said the head of Lithuania's diplomacy.
Budrys also stressed the need to increase pressure on Russia and that the 21st sanctions package should be more ambitious.
"We are following the news from Kyiv, where tonight Russian drones or missiles brutally hit the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. This is totally unacceptable. It is one of the most sacred places in the Christian world, there are no red lines for Russia. This is therefore another reason for us to pressure Russia and finally transform the 21st sanctions package into what it should have been. It is not yet what it should be. The proposal excludes asset freezes for major Russian energy companies like Rosatom, Rosneft, Lukoil, and others, as well as drops the proposal for an outright ban on maritime services. We have to work on this or we can lose another chance to show strength," said Budrys.
For the Minister's full statement, please click here: https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20260615-foreign-affairs-council-june-2026/154534-1-arrival-and-doorstep-lt-budrys-part-1-20260615
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