Lithuanian president calls on people of Russia to speak up in face of war

VILNIUS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Thursday called on the people of Russia not to be silent and express their position on Russia's war launched against Ukraine.

"Your leaders have unilaterally decided to attack a neighboring country. A country with close historical and cultural ties to Russia. A nation that you call your brothers and sisters.

No one needs this war. Neither the Russians, nor the Ukrainians, nor the rest of the world," Nauseda said in a statement released on Thursday.

In his words, "it is not too late to stop this crime" and to prevent the deaths of thousands of innocent people.

"Do the Russians want war? I want to believe that no. Do not be silent.  Do not turn away in the face of injustice. Be bold and determined!" – Nauseda said.

Having been massing some 150,000–200,000 troops near Ukraine's border for some time, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation against neighboring Ukraine on Thursday morning.