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On 28-29 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, attended a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) and Weimar Triangle countries—Poland, France, and Germany—on the island of Bornholm in Denmark. Ministers discussed European security and defence, transatlantic relations, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and support for the country,  as well as the response to hybrid and shadow fleet threats.

Russia's constant attacks against Ukraine demonstrate the aggressor's unwillingness to seek peace

“Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine demonstrate the aggressor’s unwillingness to seek peace. A sustainable peace is only possible by ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty, and territorial integrity, the return of prisoners of war, abducted children and civilians, and by providing Ukraine with full security guarantees – the NATO and EU membership, and country‘s continued military capacity building. Only Ukraine can decide its future – Russia has no right to impose its conditions” said the Minister.

Budrys stressed that NB8 countries were among Ukraine's biggest supporters, both politically and financially. According to the Minister, it is necessary to strengthen further the ongoing efforts to encourage partners to increase support for Ukraine, because only a strong Ukraine can deter Russia from continuing and renewing its aggression.

It needs to be restrained and deterred, among other things, by applying current international sanctions and imposing new ones.

"Russia remains the biggest and most immediate threat to our security. It needs to be apprehended and deterred, including through existing international sanctions and imposing new ones. I call for adopting the 17th package of EU sanctions as soon as possible. It must include sanctions against Russia’s liquefied natural gas sector, Rosatom, the shadow fleet, IT and banking sectors, and the extention of individual sanctions,” the Minister said.

According to Budrys, the so-called shadow fleet not only enables Russia to circumvent sanctions but also poses maritime safety and environmental risks, especially in the Baltic and North Seas. The Minister also stressed that Russia's hybrid actions against Europe are aimed to influence and destabilise our democracies, including through sabotage and election meddling. "We are determined to continue further coordinated action in response to these threats, both regionally and on the EU and NATO level," stressed Budrys.

The Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) is an informal and non-institutionalised format for cooperation among the five Nordic and three Baltic states – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden. The NB8 countries coordinate the activities (agenda) of the NB8 on a rotational basis each year, organizing and hosting the meetings that take place that year. In 2025, the NB8 cooperation is coordinated by Denmark. The Weimar Triangle is an informal format of cooperation among Poland, France and Germany.