Lithuania's President Urges Tougher EU Sanctions Against Russia: A Call to Arms Over Unfulfilled Threats
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President Nauseda ain't playing games when it comes to Russia. After Merz (yeah, that German fella) and his pals played enforcer in Kyiv, they issued a 30-day ultimatum for Moscow to cease hostilities or face more sanctions. The Kremlin ignored the deadline, and discussions are underway in the EU for the 18th sanctions package. But our man, Nauseda, thinks it's not enough. He's shouting for steeper sanctions, aiming at major Russian energy firms like Gazprom, Rosatom, and Lukoil, as well as Nord Stream and shipping companies linked to Russia's shadow fleet.
Nauseda ain't afraid to get down and dirty, suggesting the remaining Russian banks be kicked off SWIFT, the international payment system. He's worried about the security of NATO, believing Russia won't stop at Ukraine. "This ain't just about Ukraine," he said. "It's about a threat to us all." He thinks standing together is the best approach, considering Lithuania borders Belarus, Russia's pal.
So, what's Nauseda mad about? He's pissed that the EU's hesitation to fully sanction Russia undermines its credibility and resolve. He's calling for the EU to go all-in, targeting those who finance Moscow's war chest. If they don't, Russia may see the Old Continent as weak and unwilling to take bold action.
- Gitanas Nauseda
- Russia
- United Europe
- Gazprom
- Rosatom
- Lukoil
- Nord Stream
- Shadow Fleet
- SWIFT
- France
- Emmanuel Macron
- Kyiv
- EU
- Lithuania
- CDU
- Keir Starmer
- Donald Tusk
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Enrichment Insights:
- Nauseda's proposals emphasize complete disconnection of Russian banks from SWIFT, blacklisting Russia’s shadow fleet, targeting major Russian energy companies, and broadening oil and export restrictions.
- Nauseda's concerns revolve around the EU's credibility and resolve, as well as the broader security risk for NATO.
- Current sanctions have not been categorically effective, and Russia has found ways to circumvent them, prompting Nauseda's call for stricter measures.
- President Gitanas Nauseda of Lithuania urged the European Union to enact tougher policy-and-legislation against Russia, suggesting that Russia's major energy firms, such as Gazprom, Rosatom, and Lukoil, be targeted, along with Nord Stream and shipping companies linked to Russia's shadow fleet.
- In light of the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine and the EU's hesitation to fully sanction Russia, President Nauseda expressed concerns about the undermining of the EU's credibility and resolve, and warned that this could be interpreted by Russia as a sign of weakness, potentially prompting further aggression towards NATO and its member states like Lithuania.
