Lithuania FM says Trump's softer Kyiv rhetoric to be judged by diplomacy

VILNIUS - The impact of US President Donald Trump's softer rhetoric toward Kyiv will be judged by diplomatic progress toward ending Russia's war in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said.

"We could judge the results (of the changed rhetoric) by how much progress is achieved through diplomatic means to end the war. We saw attempts to approach this using tougher tools by applying sanctions on Russia, and now we see that the sanctions path continues, while a slightly softer position, closer to Ukraine, is being tested," Budrys said in an interview with Verslo Zinios.

According to Budrys, Trump's policy toward Ukraine must be viewed along a "timeline" from the start of his administration. Budrys emphasised that support for Ukraine continues, while Europe is being provided with the opportunity to purchase US-made weaponry, systems and ammunition.

The minister said the situation could be assessed in more detail in the autumn, although the end of the war does not depend on the US alone. According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly shown that he is prepared to undermine efforts to end the conflict.