Lithuanian president calls for stronger sanctions on Russia, Belarus, use of frozen assets

VILNIUS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Tuesday called for the strengthening of sanctions against Russia and Belarus and for using frozen assets for rebuilding Ukraine. 

"We must support Ukraine until its victory by providing various financial, military and humanitarian support and strengthening sanctions against Russia and its accomplice Belarus, hold the aggressor Russia accountable for war and aggression crimes, and use Russia's frozen assets to rebuild Ukraine," Nauseda said after meeting with Maltese President George Vella. 

"It is in Ukraine that the future of Europe's security is being decided today," he added.

Last December, EU leaders agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova and granted them candidate status. 

Nauseda called for the process to be concluded, adding that he believes this will expand "the space of freedom, democracy and the rule of law".

Vella said that Russia's ongoing offensive against civilians and Ukrainian infrastructure is yet another reminder of the illegality of war and aggression in blatant violation of international law.