Lithuania to keep sanctions on Russia, Belarus until Ukraine’s borders restored

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has affirmed that her country will not lift sanctions on Russia and Belarus until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is fully restored and all damages caused by Russia are compensated. 

She made the statement during a joint briefing with her Ukrainian counterpart Yuliya Sviridenko, in Kyiv, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrinform. 

Šimonytė emphasised that Lithuania supports the establishment of a Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression, the operation of a Registry of Damages, and the European Commission’s proposal to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. 

“Our sanctions against Russia and its ally Belarus will remain in place until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored and war-related damages are fully compensated,” the prime minister highlighted, adding that the ultimate goal is the complete restitution of all losses inflicted on Ukraine.

Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union and individual member states have imposed a range of sanctions targeting Russian and Belarusian individuals, companies, and sectors, including energy, finance, and defence. 

Lithuania has been among the most vocal supporters of strict measures, emphasising that sanctions will remain until Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are fully restored.

By Khagan Isayev