Lithuania pushes for new anti-Russian sanctions package despite 17th still pending
Photo: Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys (tv3 lt)
The EU continues to discuss the 17th package of sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys is already urging to discuss another, new 18th package of measures, reports LRT.
“We have practically prepared the 17th package of sanctions, which we intend to adopt, perhaps even in May. Lithuania is already calling on us to start thinking about the 18th package of sanctions, but we need to talk not only about the sanctions themselves but also consider the possibility of introducing additional tariff measures against Russian products,” the minister said.
According to him, the sanctions pressure against Russia is not being fully used.
“Russian energy companies continue to generate revenues for the Russian budget, and this must be stopped. It is necessary to ban the import of liquefied natural gas to the European Union. And the United States can help us with this. And there are still several other oil companies operating in the world,” the minister said.
Sanctions against Russia may be tightened
On May 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with US President Donald Trump. Afterward, Trump said on his social media platform Truth that if the ceasefire is not respected, the United States and its partners will impose additional sanctions.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed the same opinion today on May 9. According to him, a ceasefire in Ukraine should make it possible to conclude a real peace treaty. Otherwise, Russia will face new sanctions.
Poland seeks to agree on the 17th package of EU sanctions against Russia by July 1. The new package will include restrictions on the export of chemicals and sanctions against companies.
