Lithuania’s formin talks foreign policy, Russia’s war in Ukraine with EU ambassadors

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Monday met with ambassadors of the European Union (EU) countries who reside in Lithuania and are accredited to Lithuania to discuss the most pressing issues of EU foreign policy as well as Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Landsbergis stressed that only Ukraine’s final victory against Russia’s aggression would ensure the security and stability of Ukraine and its neighbors, as well as Europe, allowing to avoid wider geopolitical consequences, the ministry said in a press release.

“We have to make it clear how we see the end of Russia’s war against Ukraine – that is, Ukraine’s victory – and strategically plan support for Ukraine. We must give Ukraine not what we have in the warehouses, but what it needs in the battlefield,” the press release quoted Landsbergis as saying.

The Lithuanian top diplomat also expressed support for the common goal of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU to strengthen the Community’s unity in the context of growing geopolitical tensions.

According to Landsbergis, the strategic approach of Western partners will determine the situation in other regions, where instability hot spots jump out, testing Western geopolitical strength.

The European perspectives of Ukraine, Moldova and other EU partners were also discussed.

According to Landsbergis, at the end of this year, the EU will have to make strategic decisions on further steps in Ukraine’s and Moldova’s EU integration process.

“The EU enlargement is a value-based and merit-based process. And at the same time, it is the most successful geopolitical instrument of the EU. Hopefully, after evaluating the progress of reforms in Ukraine and Moldova, we will invite these countries to start accession negotiations this December. The Western Balkan countries also need to move along the European path, and they are an important part of the enlargement debate,” he said.

The minister also highlighted the importance of progress in Ukraine’s integration into NATO in preparation for the next NATO summit in Washington, where it would be necessary to talk about Ukraine and the next steps.

The meeting also discussed implementing sanctions against Russia and Belarus, and Lithuania’s actions to combat their circumvention.

The Embassy of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union organized the meeting.