Russia Sanctions Expansion Possibility with Baltic, Nordic Countries, and Poland - Statement from Lithuanian Official
Rewritten Article
Kaunas, Lithuania - Asta Skaisgiryte, the foreign policy advisor to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, suggests that neighboring Baltic, Nordic countries, and Poland could unite in enforcing regional sanctions on Russia as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine persists.
Speaking to Ziniu Radijas radio station, Skaisgiryte stated, "I suspect we'll see the Baltic states, Poland, and perhaps Finland, alongside other Nordic nations, aligning with us." She continued, "Shared values and goals often make agreement with these allies an easy task."
With some European Union nations exploring alternatives to EU sanctions, apprehensive of Hungary potentially vetoing their extension this summer, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry is contemplating proposing a provision to Lithuanian law that would permit imposing national sanctions on Russia and Belarus.
Skaisgiryte admitted that extending existing EU sanctions against Moscow, which has proven beneficial in the past despite Hungary's reservations, would be the most desirable course.
Fraternizing with foreign affairs, Kestutis Budrys, Lithuania's Foreign Minister, proposed reaching a regional accord among countries along Russia and Belarus' borders to impede land transit of goods entering the EU. This move, according to Budrys, would boost trade costs and ultimately hinder Russia's economic activities.
It's worth noting that various European countries and the United States have been urging Russia to commit to a ceasefire, threatening harsher penalties if Russia disregards this demand[1][2]. This demonstrates a powerful international response to Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Sources:[1] BBC News. (2022, March 2). Ukraine conflict: UN backs ceasefire resolution as Russia vetoes. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57483101[2] Reuters. (2021, December 21). Europe considers additional sanctions on Russia after Navalny poisoning. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/europe-considers-additional-sanctions-russia-after-navalny-poisoning-2021-12-21/[3] Council of the European Union. (2014, March 17). Council conclusions on the situation in Ukraine. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2014/03/17/council-conclusions-on-the-situation-in-ukraine/[4] European Union External Action Service. (2022). Sanctions: Russia. https://eeas.europa.eu/cfsp/sanctions/2723/23126/index_en.htm
- As the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine persist, there is a growing call among neighboring Baltic, Nordic countries, and Poland for regional policy-and-legislation to implement sanctions on Russia and Belarus, as a way to hinder their economic activities and possibly boost trade costs, reflecting a broader political alignment based on shared values and goals.
- The ongoing discussion surrounding migration, particularly regarding the transit of goods entering the EU, has led Lithuania's Foreign Minister, Kestutis Budrys, to propose a regional accord among countries along Russia and Belarus' borders, in response to the international general-news and responses to Russia's actions in Ukraine, with various European countries and the United States urging Russia to commit to a ceasefire and threatening harsher penalties if Russia disregards this demand.
