EU lacks strategic ambition in relations with Ukraine, says Lithuania’s foreign minister
Photo: Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The European Union lacks strategic ambition in its relations with Ukraine. The EU must move forward with Kyiv’s economic integration, said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Kęstutis Budrys, ahead of the meeting of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council on trade issues in Brussels.
The main topics of the meeting included trade relations between Europe and the United States, EU-China relations, and the free trade agreement with Ukraine.
After US President Donald Trump announced that a 30% tariff on European goods would take effect on August 1, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister said he expects tough negotiations in the coming weeks but remains optimistic.
According to the minister, Lithuania fully supports the European Commission’s position in talks with the US.
"Tariffs are not good for anyone. We must avoid escalation in our relations with the United States and seek a mutually beneficial solution. We have so many common challenges in front of us that we can best solve together with our transatlantic partner," Budrys said.
He emphasized that the EU has always supported fair trade based on international rules and adherence to them. This must continue today.
Evaluating the free trade agreement with Ukraine, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister said its initial version lacks ambition.
"The European Union lacks strategic ambition in its relations with Ukraine. We see Ukraine as an inevitable part of European security and the future; therefore, we have to proceed with economic integration," Budrys emphasized.
Free trade agreement with the EU
Recently, Ukraine’s government revealed details of the updated free trade agreement with the European Union. The revised version of the agreement was approved in early July and sets new quotas for the export of Ukrainian goods to Europe.
Ukraine’s Trade Representative, Taras Kachka, stated that the outcome achieved is quite positive. Out of the 40 existing quotas, five have been fully liberalized, four partially liberalized, and four restructured.
