More ’pressure’ on Russia needed amid Ukraine crisis, says Lithuania FM

  • 2014-10-17
  • By Rayyan Sabet-Parry, RIGA

Lithuania’s FM Linas Linkevicius (photo: AFP)

The EU should consider fresh sanctions against Russia amid the crisis in the Ukraine, Lithuania's foreign minister Linas Linkevicius has said.

Speaking to CNN on Thursday, Linkevicius said more support for Ukraine's government was needed whilst fresh sanctions should be imposed on Russia. Moscow has repeatedly denied it's playing a role in the crisis in the Ukraine.

"We should extend pressure on Russia. Again sanctions and support to the Ukrainian government are needed. These are two channels." Linkevicius told CNN on Thursday.

Quizzed over whether he supported Ukraine's desire to maintain closer ties to the EU, Linkevicius said his government supported the will of the Ukrainian people.

"They have to decide. We respect their decision. Since they decided to take that step. We shouldn't be just observers. We should assist them and help."

Baltic officials have been put on edge amid the crisis in the Ukraine, with some analysts saying a Crimea style scenario could be repeated in the region. 

Responding to the claims, Linkevicius said: "Our people are nervous, sometimes uncertain, they need more assurance about the situation that's around."

The ministers comments come amid talks in Milan today between Russian President Vladimir Putin and other EU leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Holande and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the talks were 'difficult' and full of 'misunderstandings', Reuters reports.