Kestutis Budrys, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, discusses the EU‘s approach to sanctions on Russia and the possibility of expanding them to new sectors such as LNG and nuclear energy. He also touches on the topic of a “Coalition of the Willing” and its potential role in supporting Ukraine in case of a ceasefire failure.
Key points from the interview:
* The EU has 16 packages of sanctions in place, which are effective and working.
* Russia is pushing for relief from these sanctions, indicating that they are impacting their economy.
* The EU is considering expanding sanctions to new sectors such as LNG, nuclear energy, and financial institutions connected to SWIFT.
* A “Coalition of the Willing” is being discussed, with Lithuania ready to contribute military support to Ukraine.
* The goal is to have a long-lasting peace in Ukraine, which depends on Russia’s commitment to it.
* If the ceasefire never comes, there are plans for what can be done next, including continued military support from the EU and other nations.
Overall, Kestutis Budrys emphasizes that the EU is taking a proactive approach to supporting Ukraine, while also working towards a long-lasting peace. He stresses that Russia’s intentions and actions will ultimately determine the success of these efforts.