Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for new sanctions against Russian LNG

The new Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budris stressed that the Baltic country supports the 15th package of EU sanctions, but considers it insufficient.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budris called for tougher sanctions against Russia, in particular on liquefied natural gas. This is reported by “European Pravda”.

Lithuania also plans to introduce higher duties on goods from Russia and Belarus.

“Two things are needed to achieve Ukraine’s victory: to weaken the Russian economy and its military machine, and to provide Ukraine with everything it needs for defense,” Budris noted.

Since the beginning of this year, EU countries have purchased 5 billion euros of Russian LNG, which brings significant income to the Kremlin. The minister also recalled that more than 600 European companies are still operating in Russia, and called for this to stop.

Regarding assistance to Ukraine, Budris condemned the blocking of military and financial support, hinting at Hungary’s position. As the head of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry stressed, 6.6 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine must be immediately unblocked.

Recall, on December 11, EU ambassadors approved the 15th package of sanctions in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine. The sanctions list proposes to include 29 legal entities and 54 individuals, as well as companies from China that support Russian military production.

One of the important innovations will be the fight against the so-called shadow fleet of the Russian Federation. It is planned to include 48 tankers that help circumvent the established restrictions on oil transportation in the black list.

Recently, USM wrote that Lithuania is strengthening the protection of coastal critical infrastructure after sabotage in the Baltic Sea.