VILNIUS - The West should not look for exemptions from the existing sanctions against Russia as Ukraine faces a difficult situation on the frontline, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Friday after meeting with Latvia's new Foreign Minister Baiba Braze in Vilnius.
At the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion, he said, sanctions reflected the situation on the war front.
"As the frontline situation deteriorated, the sanctions were tougher and the European Union's tone was stronger. The Ukrainians admit that the existing situation is the most difficult since the beginning of the war. However, this is not always reflected in official statements," Lithuania's top diplomat told a press conference.
"We need to adequately assess the ongoing situation. When we, the West, are looking for exemptions from the sanctions, we should pay attention to what is happening in Ukraine. Is it really morally right and the right time to look for additional exemptions, concessions and postponements, rather than reacting to the situation on the frontline today?" he asked.
Ukraine is facing major difficulties on the front line and the supply of arms is not so fast as to "deliver immediate results", Landsbergis said.
The European Union imposed its 13th sanction package on Moscow in February and is already debating a 14th one.
Some 1,500 Russian and Belarusian citizens and 207 entities are on the EU sanction list right now.
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