Lithuania will seek to maintain sanctions against Russia until it leaves the Crimea
Lithuania will seek to maintain all sanctions against Russia until it withdraws from the occupied territories of Ukraine, as stated by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry on the occasion of the third anniversary of the annexation of the Crimea.
“Lithuania strongly supports the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. In support of Ukraine, we will continue to implement the non-recognition policy of the illegal annexation of the Crimea that began three years ago,” the statement says.
“We will seek to maintain sanctions imposed against the Russian Federation by the European Union and the international community due to the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula until Russia withdraws from the illegally occupied territory of Ukraine,” the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry emphasized.
In addition, the statement condemns the violation of human rights, freedom of the media, peaceful assembly, religion and beliefs, and the persecution of the Crimean Tatars undertaken by Russia. The illegal activities of the Russian Federation not only undermine bilateral and multilateral agreements on guaranteeing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine but also pose a threat to the security and stability for all of Europe, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry stated.