News

Today, on 20 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, participates in the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union in Brussels. The EU Foreign Ministers will discuss Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, military support and long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, tightening sanctions against Russia, and the use of frozen Russian assets.

“Putin is showing us a performance that he showed us not once. And it is called deception, disruption, distraction, and delay. The point of it is to avoid sanctions, strengthen the grip, take more control over the situation, and postpone anything that was put in front of him. We, Europeans, have to stop this vicious circle. And the instrument to stop it is to impose new sanctions,” the head of Lithuania's diplomacy told journalists ahead of the meeting.

According to Budrys, the 17th package of sanctions adopted today by the Council of the EU was for yesterday. We have to look forward to what is in front of us and start preparing the 18th package.

“Let's include energy, liquefied natural gas, oil, and nuclear energy. Let's include financial institutions. I've not even mentioned frozen Russian assets. Political will is all we need to finish the job,” said the Minister.

According to the head of Lithuanian diplomacy, it is necessary to start working on the 18th package of sanctions already today.

The Minister's entire statement: https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20250520-foreign-affairs-council-foreign-affairs-council-defence-may-2025/148993-arrival-and-doorstep-lt-budrys-20250520