Landsbergis at a meeting with EU ambassadors: "We must strengthen our capacities and those of Ukraine until its final victory because Russia's aggression has already crossed our borders"
On 4 October, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, met with ambassadors of the European Union countries residing in Lithuania and accredited to Lithuania to discuss the most relevant issues and priorities of the EU's foreign policy.
The Foreign Minister underlined that Ukraine was fighting for European security and all global rules-based freedom and prosperity. If peace is to be achieved under the conditions of and at the time chosen by Ukraine, the EU must strengthen Ukraine's capacities as much as possible. Thus, comprehensive support for Ukraine remains the key priority for the EU.
"Russia is already attacking us on our territory. Daily checking our boundaries with hybrid, kinetic, and sabotage means, Russia is trying to influence public sentiment and deter support for Ukraine. Therefore, the EU must urgently increase military, financial and other existential support to Ukraine, including the provision of ammunition and air defence systems, provide more armaments with permission to respond to the aggressor on its own territory, and train troops in Ukraine or closer to Ukraine's borders. Ukraine's victory is vital for the whole of Europe, and a malign disruption of the provision of support to it is a violation not only of Ukraine's but also of the security interests of the EU as a whole," the Foreign Minister said.
As winter approaches and Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure continue, Landsbergis highlighted the need to increase support for Ukraine's energy sector. The Foreign Minister called on EU member states to seek an agreement as soon as possible on the G7 Ukraine Loan, which would be guaranteed from flows of extraordinary revenues stemming from the immobilisation of Russian assets, allocating part of the loan for military support. EU member states are invited to follow Lithuania's example and provide legal assistance to Ukraine in bringing cases based on universal jurisdiction for international crimes committed by Russian citizens in Ukraine and to apply to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity committed by the Belarusian regime on their territories.
As regards sanctions, Landsbergis called for agreeing on a solid 15th EU sanctions package against Russia, targeting economic activities that bring the most profit to its war machine, preventing the circumvention of sanctions, firstly by unifying sanctions against Russia and Belarus, and expanding restrictions on Iran's supply of ballistic missiles to Russia and Chinese companies cooperating with the aggressor.
The meeting emphasised the need to strengthen the EU's defence industry. Lithuania will strive for defence initiatives to complement NATO and strengthen the region's security, ensuring the possibility of purchasing military equipment from like-minded third countries and NATO partners, primarily the United States.
When discussing the EU enlargement process, Landsbergis emphasised the need to maintain momentum. Currently, the European Commission's evaluations of Ukraine and Moldova's progress are awaited, and the opening of the first negotiating chapter is expected as soon as possible.
Social media
