Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis: We need to ensure that the Baltic states' defence is unsurpassed
On 7 March, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis and the United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken discussed the international community’s response to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, strengthening the defence in the Baltic Sea region, as well as issues of bilateral military and political cooperation.
“We must not let another Srebrenica, Grozny or Aleppo happen in Ukrainian cities. The provision of aid to Ukraine must continue," the Foreign Minister said.
“Russia’s economic blockade has not yet reached the level of complete isolation. We have to close all loopholes. Imports of energy products from Russia give this country the financial means for its military operation. We cannot pay for oil or gas with the Ukrainian blood."
Landsbergis also highlighted the long-term impacts of Russia's military aggression on Euro-Atlantic security and the need to substantially and immediately strengthen the Baltic Sea region's defence.
“We know that our allies' commitment to our security is unwavering. However, if we want NATO to grow a political backbone, we need to ensure that the Baltic states' defence is unsurpassed," the Foreign Minister noted.
In the bilateral meeting, Landsbergis and the Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė also discussed issues pertaining to support for democracy, ties with China and Belarus, as well as political and economic cooperation between Lithuania and the U.S.
The U.S. Secretary of State Blinken is paying a working visit to Lithuania. The U.S. Secretary of State visited Lithuania for the last time in 2013. During Lithuania's Presidency of the Council of the EU, the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry attended an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Vilnius.
Video of Blinken’s arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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