Budrys warned that lowering sanctions to cut oil costs could compromise EU independence and invite Russian interference directly.
The Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys calls on Europe to refrain from revising sanctions against Belarus and Russia. In his view, the EU “must not commit a strategic mistake and review sanctions against Russia and Belarus for the sake of short-term reductions in oil prices”.
According to Pozirk, his statement was made on March 16 before the start of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting. He noted that such a decision would be “a huge strategic mistake in the medium- and long-term perspective” and added: “We must continue to support Ukraine”.
Context and Lithuania’s position
“must not commit a strategic mistake and review sanctions against Russia and Belarus for the sake of short-term reductions in oil prices”
– Kestutis Budrys
He also commented on the cost of oil: “there is nothing more expensive than cheap Russian oil” and warned that this could lead to the loss of the EU’s political autonomy, bribery, and Russia’s interference in EU affairs.
“This could lead to the loss of (the European Union’s) political autonomy, bribery, and political interference (Russia in EU affairs)”
– Kestutis Budrys
Budrys urged the Gulf countries to look for other ways to address the problem of high oil prices.
The Lithuanian minister’s statement preceded a temporary easing of sanctions on Russian oil and oil products announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in the context of rising oil prices due to military operations in the Middle East.
The agenda of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels includes topics on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, cooperation with the EU’s southern neighbors, and other issues. It was also announced on February 26 that the EU Council extended sanctions against Belarus for another year.
Thus, Lithuania’s stance on sanctions remains unchanged: we must support Ukraine and keep pressure on Russia and Lukashenko until substantial progress and security in the region are achieved.
Очільник МЗС Литви закликає зберегти санкції проти РФ та Білорусі