Lithuanian president warns against renewed engagement with Moscow

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has said that European discussions over who might represent the continent in potential Ukraine peace talks with Russia do not reflect Europe’s security needs, warning against any renewed attempts to engage diplomatically with Moscow.

"At this point, there is also no escaping the fact that the future of European security is being decided in Ukraine. But first, Russia must be stopped. It has to be contained, not courted. Renewed calls for engagement with Moscow do not reflect Europe’s security needs," the head of state told the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s spring session in the Seimas on June 1, LRT reports.

"Failing to set clear conditions and build credible deterrence would be more likely to embolden the aggressor than moderate its behaviour," Nausėda said.

His remarks come as EU foreign ministers have recently discussed possible frameworks for future negotiations with Moscow, agreeing to work through EU institutions. The debate has intensified amid stalled U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine and shifting focus in Washington under President Donald Trump.

Separate reports have also suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin floated the idea of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder representing Europe in potential negotiations, a proposal that was rejected by European officials.

Addressing NATO lawmakers, Nausėda also called for increased financial and military support for Ukraine. He argued that if all NATO members allocated 0.25% of their GDP annually to Ukraine, around $143 billion could be raised.

The president said the issue was not financial capacity but political will and burden-sharing, stressing that Ukraine had already "won precious time" that must be used effectively.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has previously proposed a similar model of allocating 0.25% of GDP for Ukraine’s support, though it has yet to gain backing from major European capitals.

Lithuania has already committed to providing annual security and defence assistance to Ukraine equal to 0.25% of its GDP.

Nausėda also emphasised that NATO should strengthen, rather than replace, the transatlantic alliance, particularly amid U.S. considerations to reduce troop deployments in Europe.

By Sabina Mammadli