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 On 12 December in Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis attended the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (EU) and the EU-Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers meeting.

“There is not a single more important issue than Russia’s war against Ukraine, although sometimes it feels as if we are a little bit stuck in cold mud when it comes to decisions on support for Ukraine. Lithuania’s position has not changed. More support for Ukraine — military, financial, and humanitarian — is a duty of the whole European Union,” Landsbergis said in a debate on Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Foreign ministers also discussed the EU’s further macro-financial and military assistance to Ukraine, Russia’s accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.

“The International Criminal Court is doing a tremendous job of gathering evidence of Russian war crimes in Ukraine; nevertheless, we must remain open. Only a Special Tribunal can fill the loopholes in international law and hold Russia’s leaders to account for the crime of aggression,” Landsbergis said.

Foreign ministers also exchanged views on Iran’s internal situation, peaceful protests amid the brutal crackdown, military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the EU action, including additional sanctions against Iran.

“The alleged gestures of goodwill are just a smoke curtain. We must raise the issue of Iran’s accountability for suppressing peaceful protests and participating in Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Lithuania’s Foreign Minister said, affirming Lithuania’s support for the Council’s conclusions on Iran.

In addition, foreign ministers discussed topical foreign policy issues: the situation in Moldova, Kosovo, Tunisia, and Yemen.

At the EU-Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers meeting, the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy noted that the future of the Eastern Partnership region and the entire European continent depended on Ukraine’s victory. Everything we are giving to Ukraine at the moment strengthens our security.

“Currently, the Eastern Partnership countries are standing on separate rail tracks when it comes to closer cooperation with the EU. But it is a unique form of cooperation that brings these countries closer to the European Union and one another. The Eastern Partnership is not only a platform for cooperation but also a catalyst for progress,” Landsbergis said.