Latest news with #Seimas
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lithuanian Parliament speaker: GPS disruptions will persist until Russia ends war in Ukraine
Saulius Skvernelis, Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas (Parliament), has stated that the GPS signal disruptions recently affecting aircraft and vessels in the port of Klaipėda will continue as long as Russia's war against Ukraine continues. Source: Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, as reported by European Pravda Details: Skvernelis said that the GPS malfunctions are linked to Russia's efforts to protect Kaliningrad Oblast from possible aerial attacks. "The protection zone extends beyond Kaliningrad Oblast's borders, and the threat, the interference, is affecting our territory as well," he noted. Skvernelis added that this is solely related to military operations, and as long as Russia is at war, this problem will persist. Background: Lithuania's Armed Forces reported that GPS signal jamming and disruptions to control systems along the Lithuanian coast have caused accidents and loss of drone control. Estonia had earlier said that interference with GPS signals constitutes a violation of international law by Russia. Meanwhile, Finland is developing a device to counter GPS interference. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Qatar Tribune
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Lithuania votes to exit anti-mine agreement
RigacTypeface:> Lithuania has withdrawn from an international agreement banning anti-personnel mines, becoming the second Baltic state after Latvia to do so in light of Russia's war against Ukraine. The parliament in Vilnius on Thursday approved the government's decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention with 107 votes in favour, none against, and three abstentions. The decision will take effect six months after the withdrawal declaration is submitted to the United Nations. The Seimas, Lithuania's parliament, followed a joint recommendation from the defence ministers of the Baltic States and Poland. Russia's war against Ukraine is seen as a direct threat to national security in the four states, all of which are members of NATO and the European Union, that border Russia. Finland, another EU and NATO-member state bordering Russia to the east, later joined the initiative. Lithuania justified its withdrawal by citing the security situation in the region, which has 'fundamentally deteriorated' according to the joint declaration, since the country joined the Ottawa Convention in 2003. (DPA)
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lithuania votes to exit anti-mine agreement in face of Russia's war
Lithuania has withdrawn from an international agreement banning anti-personnel mines, becoming the second Baltic state after Latvia to do so in light of Russia's war against Ukraine. The parliament in Vilnius on Thursday approved the government's decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention with 107 votes in favour, none against, and three abstentions. The decision will take effect six months after the withdrawal declaration is submitted to the United Nations. The Seimas, Lithuania's parliament, followed a joint recommendation from the defence ministers of the Baltic States and Poland. Russia's war against Ukraine is seen as a direct threat to national security in the four states, all of which are members of NATO and the European Union, that border Russia. Finland, another EU and NATO-member state bordering Russia to the east, later joined the initiative. Russia not a treaty member Lithuania justified its withdrawal by citing the security situation in the region, which has "fundamentally deteriorated" according to the joint declaration, since the country joined the Ottawa Convention in 2003. According to dpa information, the declaration is expected to be submitted jointly by all withdrawing countries. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda described the move as a "logical and consistent step," adding that its nature and significance had been explained to Lithuania's allies. "Our partners clearly understand the geopolitical situation and geographical location we are in and know that we need every available means to defend our country," he said. The Ottawa Convention bans the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of all types of anti-personnel mines, which are considered particularly cruel weapons. The treaty was concluded in 1997 and has since been signed by more than 160 countries, including Germany. Russia, like the United States and China, has never joined the convention.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lithuania adopts resolution stating it will never recognise Russian-seized territories of Ukraine as Russian
The Lithuanian Seimas (parliament) on 8 May voted in favour of a resolution stating that it did not recognise the territories of Ukraine seized by Russia as Russian either de jure or de facto. Source: European Pravda, as reported by LRT Details: 118 MPs voted in favour of this resolution, with no abstentions or votes against. The resolution says that no seizures of Ukrainian territory carried out and continued by the Russian Federation will be recognised by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, either de jure or de facto. The document notes that Ukraine is a sovereign and independent European state that has the right to defend itself and independently decide on its internal, foreign, and security policy. Its borders are those recognised by the international community in 1991. Remigijus Motuzas, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, presented the draft resolution and said it was very important to stop this unjustified war, ensure long-term peace, and restore Ukraine's territorial integrity. In its resolution, the Seimas calls on the parliaments of other countries to adopt similar documents emphasising their unconditional support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to take measures to prevent the recognition of Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territories. Background: In recent weeks, the Trump administration has been trying to push forward a peace process between Ukraine and Russia and, according to media reports, has prepared a final proposal for a peaceful settlement. Among other things, the United States is ready to recognise Russia's control over Ukrainian Crimea and ease sanctions against Moscow. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha recently outlined red lines in peace talks, saying Ukraine would not recognise any temporarily occupied territories as Russian. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lithuanian parliament backs denunciation of anti-personnel mine ban convention
The Seimas, Lithuania's parliament, has approved the denouncement of the Ottawa Convention prohibiting the use of anti-personnel mines, Lithuanian media outlet LRT reported on May 8. One hundred and seven MPs voted to withdraw from the convention, with three abstentions and no votes against. Lithuania's withdrawal from the agreement required the support of at least 85 members of parliament. The denunciation of the convention will take effect six months after the decision is made. In March, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland announced their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, as the security situation in the region has "fundamentally deteriorated" and military threats to NATO member states bordering Russia and Belarus have "significantly increased." The statement added that despite their withdrawal, the countries would remain committed to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians during armed conflicts. Lithuania ratified the convention aimed at the complete elimination of anti-personnel mines in 2003. The agreement obliged not to use, produce, stockpile, or transfer anti-personnel mines. Thirty-two countries are not members of the Ottawa Convention, including Russia, the U.S., and China. Read also: Amid missile shortage, Ukraine's air defenses are struggling under Russian ballistic attacks We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
