Russia may strike Ukraine even harder on Easter - Lithuania's Foreign Ministry
Photo: Kęstutis Budrys, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania (Getty Images)
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, has warned about a possible new Russian attack on Easter. According to him, the Kremlin may resort to even harsher actions, LRT reports.
In particular, Budrys expressed concern about possible new brutal Russian attacks on Ukraine in connection with the Easter holidays.
After the terrorist attack on Sumy on Palm Sunday, Lithuania's Foreign Minister noted that this could be just the beginning of even more terrible attacks from the Kremlin, especially on Easter.
"This week is Holy Week, we'll reach Easter - I do not doubt that Russia will present something even more dreadful on Easter. Perhaps a turning point will come when we'll say: look, sanctions need to be strengthened," Budrys said.
According to Lithuania's Foreign Minister, the attack on Sumy became a kind of catalyst for more decisive action from the European Union. Budrys emphasized that sanctions must be tightened, and the EU needs to take concrete steps to support Ukraine.
"If we don't open negotiation chapters with Ukraine this semester, if we fail on sanctions, then we can no longer talk about any geopolitical subjectivity of the EU, we can no longer claim to have any influence in the world," Budrys warned.
In addition, Lithuania advocates for expanding sanctions, including against Russia's nuclear energy sector and the "shadow fleet" that helps bypass sanctions.
Budrys noted that Lithuania is actively working on preparing a new package of sanctions and hopes it will be adopted at the next meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
Missile strike on Sumy
On April 13, on Palm Sunday, Russia fired two ballistic missiles at the city of Sumy. The strikes hit the city center, where many people were present at the time of the attack.
According to the latest data, 119 people were injured.
There is serious destruction in the city as a result of the attack, with residential and non-residential buildings and transport damaged. Read more about the consequences of Russia's terrorist strike in our material.
Moreover, Lithuania supports expanding sanctions against Russia within the framework of the 17th package, particularly against the state corporation Rosatom and Russian liquefied natural gas.
Budrys announced the necessity of these steps amid the ongoing aggression of the Kremlin, stressing the importance of additional restrictions to increase pressure on the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
