Lithuania’s foreign minister warns against caving in to Russia

Source: Voice of America

Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis feels bitter many European capitals fail to recognize Russia as a universal threat hoping the Ukrainian issue will eventually just blow over.

“Ukraine’s victory will remain ‘unrealistic’ if we allow Putin to define reality. We must put an end to this,” said the Lithuanian diplomat.

Landsbergis also believes Ukraine had a chance to defeat Russia as early as the fall of 2022 if it had been provided with the necessary military equipment.

“Russia will not stop fighting because its economy is suffering or because its citizens disapprove. Russia will not halt its aggression if the West denies Ukraine the prospect of joining NATO or the EU. It will not cease hostilities due to any peace or ceasefire agreement. This is because the Russian regime is authoritarian and imperialist, driven by the need to project power both domestically and internationally,” said Landsbergis during a speech at the Chatham House conference.