“Putin caught off guard. Only the transatlantic alliance pressing Russia where it hurts can force Putin to stop deliberately mocking the US led peace efforts and finally agree to the unconditional ceasefire. Full support for US sanctions on Russian oil majors and the EU’s 19th sanctions package, which both hit the driving force behind Russia’s war economy,” Minister Budrys stated in a post on social platform X.

The head of Lithuania’s diplomacy added that the 20th sanctions package must bring the EU into full alignment with the US and further target Russian oil and gas majors, Rosatom, and impose a full embargo on dual-use exports to Russia.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil corporations, Rosneft and Lukoil. This includes freezing of their assets in the US and a prohibition for US companies to engage in any business with the two energy giants.

Meanwhile, the EU has imposed the 19th package of sanctions on Russia seeking to limit its revenue from oil and gas. A ban on LNG imports from Russia will take effect in 2027. In addition, more than 100 tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet have been blacklisted.