Europe can no longer sleep on a cloud, Lithuanian FM tells EU ambassadors

VILNIUS - Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys met with ambassadors from EU member states to discuss the bloc's support for Ukraine, transatlantic relations, European security and defense, and sanctions on Russia and Belarus, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

Lithuania's top diplomat said that Europe cannot ignore geopolitical shifts and the global security situation and must move faster to strengthen its defense capabilities and boost investment in security.

"The world is changing, and the time for Europe to sleep on a cloud is over. Europe must move from drafting strategic documents to actually implementing them," the minister was quoted as saying.

Budrys, the ministry said, urged EU countries to swiftly find ways to meet the needs of Ukraine's energy sector and to deliver military assistance to protect it.

The minister stressed that the EU must urgently finalize an agreement on a 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine, ensuring flexible financing for the most pressing military needs, and also move quickly on decisions regarding Ukraine's EU membership in the near future.

"We must not forget that Ukraine is currently defending Europe - with its lives and blood. A just and lasting peace in Ukraine is a priority for European security, because without it there will be no peace and stability across the continent. We must not only make political statements, but take the necessary decisions - for our own security and for Ukraine's," Budrys said.

According to Lithuania's top diplomat, the EU must act more decisively to increase pressure on Russia, as this is a way to break the aggressor's war economy.

The minister urged EU countries to agree as soon as possible on the 20th package of sanctions, including measures targeting the energy, financial and technology sectors, sanctions on Lukoil, and tighter restrictions on Russia's shadow fleet.

According to the ministry, Budrys also discussed strengthening transatlantic ties with EU ambassadors, saying the security partnership between Europe and the United States is vital and must be expanded and reinforced.