VILNIUS - EU measures regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip should be aimed at changing it, rather than looking for ways to punish Israel, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys says.
"It is in our interest to achieve results through means other than heavy pressure. (...) Measures should be specifically aimed at changing the situation, rather than simply finding something we could punish Israel with. Such an approach is short-sighted and will not give us the desired result," Lithuania's top diplomat told reporters ahead of a government meeting on Wednesday.
EU countries are not united on the war in the Gaza Strip, which prevents the bloc from taking action against Israel, even as public anger grows.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has for a long time positioned herself as a staunch ally of Israel, called for a tougher stance last week, saying she would propose measures, including sanctions against far-right Israeli ministers and restrictions on trade ties, and warning that hunger should not be used as a weapon of war.
"I have not yet seen any concrete EC proposals on what it intends to do. When we receive them, we will assess them. In general, we are in favor of making maximum use of diplomatic channels, of serious and tough talks with Israel, making it very clear what our expectations are and what is unacceptable," Budrys pointed out.
UN investigators said on Tuesday that Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 2023 with the aim of destroying the Palestinians in the territory, which Israel has categorically rejected.
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