Budrys in Brussels: Lithuania proposes a strategy to the European Union for managing Russia’s hybrid actions
On 15 December in Brussels, on the eve of the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys participated in a discussion on deterring Russia and responding to hybrid threats organized by the Czech Republic.
On 15 December in Brussels, on the eve of the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys participated in a discussion on deterring Russia and responding to hybrid threats organized by the Czechia.
Addressing the participants, the head of Lithuania's diplomacy stated that Russia’s actions on NATO territory have recently exceeded the limits of hybrid attacks, with their kinetic attacks and acts of sabotage becoming increasingly dangerous and posing risks to human lives. According to Budrys, there are also increasing hybrid actions by China in the Baltic States.
“Russia uses hybrid attacks to divert our attention from its war of aggression against Ukraine, to redirect our resources elsewhere, and to intimidate and divide our societies. We must seek a collective response, continue to support Ukraine, and create strategic dilemmas for Russia by exploiting their vulnerabilities and dependencies,” said Minister Budrys.
The head of Lithuania's diplomacy called on the ministers of EU member states to jointly approach the European External Action Service and the European Commission, urging them to adopt an EU strategy to counter Russia’s hybrid actions. Lithuania, together with the Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Sweden , has prepared a proposal (non-paper) on this topic, which will be discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in January.
The discussion organized by the Czechia was attended by the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Estonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Romania.
Social media
