Call for next EU sanctions on Moscow to be like 'Molotov cocktail'
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda is pushing for stronger EU sanctions against Moscow in light of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.
"Putin is turning the whole world against him and really deserves much tougher sanctions than those currently in place," the head of state of the Baltic EU and NATO country said on Lithuanian television on Tuesday.
"I really hope that our colleagues in the European Union understand that the 17th package of sanctions was just a warm-up," Nauseda said. "We need to prepare an 18th package of sanctions that really resembles a Molotov cocktail."
The EU imposed further sanctions against Russia last week. The 17th package of punitive measures includes further tightening of restrictions on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" used to transport oil and oil products.
An 18th package of sanctions is already being planned. Lithuania is one of Kiev's most vocal supporters on the international stage.
Russia has launched massive air strikes against Ukraine in recent days. The attacks were widely condemned, including by US President Donald Trump, who threatened Russia with new sanctions and accused Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin of having gone "absolutely crazy."
Nauseda said he agreed with Trump's assessment. "Those are strong words and a completely appropriate statement, because this has been clear to us for a long time," Nauseda said.
Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion since 2022.
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