Lithuania's Landsbergis calls for joint effort against Russia during Athens visit

VILNIUS - Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis is in Athens on Thursday where he called on the international community to step up its effort to deter Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine.

"For the people of Greece, Mariupol, Kharkiv are not just the names of cities on the map of Ukraine. It is a tragic symbol of brutality and grief - the Greek community there has suffered tragic losses and experienced the barbaric atrocities, as well as all around Ukraine," he said during his meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.

"The international community must continue to exert maximum pressure on Russia and its supporters - Belarus, Iran and other authoritarian regimes - sending a clear message that the crimes of war and of aggression, as well as aid to the aggressor will receive a response," Landsbergis said.

In Athens, Landsbergis presented a Baltic initiative calling on the EU, together with international partners, to help Ukraine set up a special tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression, fill the current legal vacuum and ensure Russia’s accountability for atrocities committed in Ukraine.

"A special tribunal could become another pillar of the rules-based world order, as well as a deterrent to other regimes with revisionist aims," Landsbergis said.

The meeting in Athens also touched upon bilateral cooperation, ways to strengthen Europe's energy security and nuclear security not only in Ukraine, but also on the Lithuanian border. The foreign ministers also discussed the situation in the EU's neighborhood, regional security issues and other items on the EU and international agendas, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said.

Lithuania's top diplomat also met with Konstantinos Gioulekas, chairman of the Greek parliament's Standing Committee on National Defense and Foreign Affairs.