Lithuania urges US not to delay sanctions against Russia
Photo: Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys (Getty Images)
Lithuania's foreign and defense ministers have publicly supported the introduction of new sanctions against Russia if it fails to comply with US demands for a ceasefire with Ukraine, LRT reports.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys says that the US must follow through on its warnings if it wants to maintain the trust of its international partners.
"I am convinced that this is the case. In this sense, how could it be otherwise? What then is the value of such warnings and signals? They must be implemented. It's a matter of trust," he told reporters.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė also stresses that the time for decisive action has come.
"Will this be another postponement, as for some eternal debtor, Putin, or will we finally see these actions? These actions are necessary," she stresses.
US President Donald Trump has set Russia a deadline of Friday to make progress on a peace agreement with Ukraine.
Otherwise, Washington may impose new economic sanctions. In particular, we are talking about secondary tariffs that will affect Moscow's partners - China and India.
Although the White House has not yet officially confirmed what measures are being considered, the visit of US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to the Kremlin on Wednesday was a new signal of pressure.
There, he met with Russia's Vladimir Putin.
Trump's deadline for Russia
Trump recently reduced the deadline for Russia to achieve peace with Ukraine to 10 days. The new deadline expires on August 8. Despite the US President's statements, the Kremlin has announced its intention to continue its aggressive war against Ukraine.
In addition, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff will visit Russia this week.
