EU has no reason to lift sanctions on Belarus – Lithuania's commissioner

VILNIUS – European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius says he sees no grounds for the European Union to lift sanctions on Belarus.

"I am not very familiar with this topic, it is not my area, but for now I see no indications why Europe, having imposed sanctions because of (Alexander) Lukashenko's actions, should now abandon them," he told LRT Radio on Friday.

Kubilius questioned whether the Belarusian authoritarian leader's actions had changed significantly and whether the United States was asking for EU sanctions to be lifted.

"Europe and Lithuania must adhere to clear principles: sanctions were imposed because of certain actions by the Lukashenko regime and, as long as those actions have not changed, why should the sanctions be lifted?" the European commissioner told the public broadcaster.

The EU has imposed wide-ranging sanctions on Belarus over human rights violations, support for Russia's war against Ukraine and hybrid attacks against the bloc.

Earlier this week, the Lithuanian government approved extending national sanctions against Russian and Belarusian citizens until 2028, a move that still requires approval by the parliament.

According to Kubilius, sanctions are important, but they do not stop Russia's military actions, so Ukraine's defense must be strengthened using EU financial support.

"A decision has now been taken to provide Ukraine with a 90-billion-euro loan instead of the frozen Russian assets after no agreement was reached. Of this amount, 60 billion euros is earmarked for defense," the commissioner said.

"My departments are coordinating the use of these funds. We have an important task to complete practically all legal arrangements by around the anniversary, because the money must reach Ukraine no later than early April," he added.

As reported by BNS, after several months of diplomatic wrangling, EU member states agreed in December to grant Ukraine a 90-billion-euro loan. In January, the European Commission said it was making efforts to ensure Kyiv receives the first tranche in April.