Kaštutis Budrys, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed hope that the European Union will soon approve the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. He also emphasized that Lithuania is ready to initiate the next sanctions package immediately afterward. These statements were made following a meeting with the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Poland in Lublin.
“Yesterday, we truly hoped that an agreement on the 18th sanctions package would be reached, and we hope it will happen soon because… this is a very necessary measure.”
– Kaštutis Budrys
The minister noted that Lithuania does not intend to stop at what has been achieved.
“We will continue coordinating our actions with partners in the US and will start working on the next sanctions package ourselves, and we will keep pushing forward – until it chokes or until that (Russian military, – ed.) machine shuts down due to the inability to generate income.”
– Kaštutis Budrys
Budrys also stressed the importance of Ukraine’s swift integration into the European Union at all levels.
In June, the European Commission presented the 18th sanctions package, which includes new restrictions on Russia’s energy and banking sectors. This package also concerns transactions related to the Nord Stream project.
However, the new sanctions package is currently blocked by Slovakia and Malta. Slovakia demands compensation or an exemption from the RePower EU roadmap on phasing out Russian energy sources in exchange for supporting the 18th sanctions package.
Malta, in turn, opposes lowering the price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel, arguing that the shipping industry is a vital part of the country’s economy.