Lithuania urges more US pressure on Russia as Ukraine peace plan advances

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has urged the United States to take a harder line on Russia as Washington advances a plan aimed at ending Moscow’s war against Ukraine.

Budrys said the latest diplomatic push underscores the need for firm consequences if Russia fails to meet agreed-upon deadlines, Caliber.Az reports per Lithuanian media.

“There must be a sanction, a penalty, some sort of consequence if the deadline is ignored,” Budrys said. “There is no need to pressure Ukraine here; Russia is the one that must be pressured.”

He praised Ukraine’s negotiating team as “strong and capable”, adding that Kyiv has shown significant flexibility. “I would very much like to see that from Russia’s side,” he said.

Meanwhile, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, commenting on the US plan, said peace talks should focus on three principles – Ukraine's territorial indivisibility, sovereignty and essential security interests.

Rinkēvičs noted that the situation is evolving rapidly, but Europe and the Coalition of the Willing are focused on upholding these principles. “The main goal is to ensure Ukraine can rely on these three fundamental principles. There is some positive news, but it’s important to understand that dialogue between the U.S. and Ukraine is one thing, while Russia’s willingness to respect any peace agreements is another,” he said, adding that he does not currently see threats to the security of the Baltic states.

The president’s remarks were followed by the speech of Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, who stated that the situation improved after the release of the first 28-point draft of the peace plan, though Russia has yet to signal readiness for a ceasefire.  

On November 25, US President Donald Trump said that Washington was “very close” to brokering a deal between Ukraine and Russia to end what he described as their nearly four-year war.

A US official told ABC News earlier that the Ukrainian delegation had agreed with Washington on the terms of a potential peace deal.

An initial version of the 28-point US proposal, publicly backed by Trump, drew sharp criticism from Ukrainians and European officials for terms viewed as favourable to Moscow, including provisions that would reduce Ukraine’s armed forces and cede parts of its territory. An updated plan, which was adjusted to 19 points, intended to “uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty” was drafted during emergency talks over the weekend.

By Khagan Isayev