Latest news with #KęstutisBudrys
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lithuania does not expect significant results from Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys believes that the second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine will be unlikely to result in significant achievements. Source: European Pravda; LRT, a Lithuanian public broadcaster "It depends on the intentions and mood of the Russian delegation [at the talks - ed.]. If they are the same as last time, we know how it all ended. There was no real desire to negotiate and therefore no significant results related to the ceasefire. This will likely also be the case this time," the Lithuanian foreign minister said on Friday during a visit to Madrid. Budrys said striving for a ceasefire to be implemented "unconditionally and immediately" is necessary. "Only alongside the ceasefire can normal, full-fledged negotiations on ending the aggression take place. Both the United States and Europe must participate in such negotiations. There must be some results. (...) What we see now is just an imitation. Will Monday show that it is not an imitation? Most likely not, and that is why Ukrainians need even more support," Budrys said. Background: Russia declared that it wants another round of Istanbul talks with Ukraine on Monday 2 June, where its delegation will present a "memorandum" outlining Russia's proposals regarding a ceasefire and an end to the war. Meanwhile, officials in Kyiv stated that to reach any outcomes during the talks, they must first read over the Russian "memorandum". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lithuanian foreign minister urges strong response to Russia's overnight strike on Ukraine
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has called for a strong response to the Russian Federation's large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine. Source: Budrys on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Budrys described Russia's night attack on Ukraine as "a show of sheer brutality". "Over 250 Shahed drones, 14 ballistic missiles and innocent lives lost. This wasn't just an attack. It was a message of impunity," the diplomat said. He emphasised that the response must be "stronger than Russian aggression". "More military support and weapons to Ukraine, harsher sanctions and isolation of Russia. Appeasement isn't a path towards peace – it's a permission to continue the aggression," Budrys stated. Background: Meanwhile, former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis sarcastically recalled that Ukraine had been promised Taurus missiles and crushing sanctions against the Russian Federation. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also called on the international community – particularly the United States – not to remain silent, and to step up pressure on the Kremlin. On the night of 24-25 May, Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to Russia's large-scale missile attack on Ukrainian territory. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lithuania urges EU to impose sanctions that truly hurt Russia
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has called on the European Union to begin work now on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia which should hit its most vulnerable points. Source: Budrys after the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda Details: Budrys said that deception, disruption, distraction and delay are the strategy of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to avoid sanctions and accountability. According to him, Europe must finally break this vicious circle and an effective tool for this is the introduction of new sanctions. Budrys noted that the 17th package of sanctions, adopted on 20 May, is already outdated. "Eighteenth sanctions package must strike the aggressor where it really hurts – energy, LNG, oil, nuclear fuel and financial institutions must be our targets," he said, stressing that work on the new package must begin immediately. "We have to proceed, because otherwise we're not meeting our words. And who will believe us when we will send this message again?" Budrys pointed out. Background: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a phone conversation following the adoption of the 17th package of sanctions against Russia to discuss the next round of restrictions to strike Moscow. The 18th package of European Union sanctions against Russia, which the EU has already started working on, may include restrictions on banks from non-EU countries that support the Russian defence industry and army, in addition to Russian banks. US President Donald Trump stated that he would not tighten sanctions against Russia because "there's a chance of progress", though he did not rule out the possibility of imposing sanctions in the future. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lithuanian foreign minister wears embroidered shirt to mark Vyshyvanka Day
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has congratulated Ukraine on Vyshyvanka Day and shared a photo of himself wearing a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt. [Vysvhyvanka Day is a holiday dedicated to preserving the iconic Ukrainian embroidered shirt, known as "vyshyvanka" – ed.] Source: Budrys on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Budrys stated that "in every stitch of Ukrainian vyshyvanka lies the nation's identity and pride that cannot be erased". "By wearing it today we stand for Ukraine, its freedom, its people and their peaceful future within both the EU and NATO," he wrote. Additionally, Budrys posted a photo of himself wearing a vyshyvanka. Background: Earlier, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos shared a video greeting in Ukrainian to mark Vyshyvanka Day. Last year, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen also wore a vyshyvanka to celebrate Ukrainian culture on the occasion. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lithuania warns against falling for Russian propaganda after Putin's "truce"
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, commenting on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's statement about a "three-day truce", has urged people not to not fall for Russian propaganda. Source: Delfi quoting the Lithuanian foreign minister, as reported by European Pravda Details: He said that Russia is trying to convince Washington that its army "is the absolutely dominant party" in the war against Ukraine. "We know that this is not true – Ukraine is holding the front line... but the truth is that a lot depends on Putin. We need to continue to apply pressure and not give in to the propaganda narrative that everything is in his control," the minister added. Background: Earlier, Putin announced another "truce" in the Russian-Ukrainian war, to take place on the days of Russia's Victory Day celebrations. It is to start at midnight on 8 May and last until midnight on 11 May. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that the three-day ceasefire announced by the Kremlin is not enough; a just and lasting peace is needed. UK Defence Intelligence believes that the three-day "truce" announced by the Kremlin leader to mark 9 May is intended to show Russia's alleged openness to some kind of agreement and to limit Ukraine's long-range strikes while not worsening its position on the front line. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
