Europe would fund Russia's war in Ukraine by buying Russian gas – Lithuanian president

  • 2025-02-03
  • BNS/TBT Staff

VILNIUS – In response to reports that officials in some EU member states are considering resuming gas purchases from Russia, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda warned on Monday that such a move would fund the Kremlin's war in Ukraine.

"This is moving in the completely opposite direction from our goals. If we show any weakness in our sanctions policy, the other side will very quickly take it as our weakness and, frankly, confirm the hypotheses they have about us – that Europe is incapable of making decisions when necessary, or makes decisions that benefit the aggressor," Nauseda told the public broadcaster LRT in Brussels.  

"Such decisions unequivocally benefit the aggressor because they finance the aggressor's war. We are paying money for Russia's war in Ukraine," he said. 

The Financial Times reported last Thursday that a return to Russian gas imports was under consideration. Proponents of the idea argue that it would lower Europe's high energy prices, encourage Moscow to come to the negotiating table and give both sides a reason to establish and maintain a ceasefire.

"Lithuania isn't doing this and urges others not to either. Lithuania will always advocate for the strictest sanctions policy possible," said Nausėda.

Lithuania cut off Russian gas imports entirely in April 2022, except for transit via its territory to the Kaliningrad exclave. However, some eastern EU countries remain dependent on Russian gas due to geographical and political factors, despite the bloc's efforts to reduce reliance.