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On 27 February, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis remotely took part in an informal video conference of the European Union‘s foreign affairs ministers, who held a discussion on further measures to be adopted in response to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. Ministers also discussed ways to strengthen Ukraine’s economic and military resilience, and how to tighten EU sanctions against Russia.

“With Russia continuing its military invasion of Ukraine and struggling to take Kyiv and other major cities, Ukraine and its troops need not only more arms, but also practical emergency assistance: fuel, protective and medical supplies, and dry food. Today, we decided to provide an additional support package for Ukraine worth EUR 0.5 billion (€500m)," the Minister said, stressing that it was high time to start discussions on long-term support measures for Ukraine, helping to strengthen its resilience and not forgetting about regional neighbours. We also need to urgently prepare assistance measures for Moldova and Georgia.

“To further limit the Kremlin’s ability to finance its war against Ukraine, today we also agreed to put crippling sanctions on Russian financial sector, i.e., to impose sanctions on Russia's Central Bank to prevent it from using international reserves and to extend individual sanctions against Putin-linked oligarchs and decision-makers. It is also necessary to agree to impose sanctions on Belarus, because Russia uses its territory to invade Ukraine,” said Landsbergis.

According to Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, as the EU member states have unanimously agreed to close the EU airspace to Russian planes and to adopt relevant acts, it is also necessary to take appropriate steps with regard to Russian ships. “We have to take another step and unanimously agree to impose a ban on Russian ships at EU ports and in territorial waters, in order to be consistent in our actions and to increase pressure on the aggressor,” said the chief of Lithuania's diplomacy.