News

On 29 January 2015, Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, took part in an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council convened in Brussels to address the issue of Ukraine. Taking into account the situation which has deteriorated severely, EU foreign ministers adopted  a decision to extend the existing sanctions for additional six months from March.

The Foreign Affairs Council has delegated the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission to present a proposal on additional listings within a week so that EU foreign ministers could decide on fresh sanctions at their next meeting on 9 February 2015.

Considering the situation in Ukraine and effectiveness of the renewed diplomatic efforts the European Commission and the European External Action Service will continue the preparatory work on any appropriate measures in view of the  Council of European Union  on 12 February 2015. 

“This decision made by the Foreign Affairs Council is a clear message to Russia. If Russia makes no progress in implementation of the Minsk Agreements, EU sanctions will be extended and new sanctions will be imposed”, said the Minister.

Linkevičius stressed that we must remain consistent for as long as Russia continues its aggression against the neighbouring state, and the EU must remain tough and continue tightening sanctions on Russia for as long as people in Ukraine continue to die.

The meeting has been held in response to the worsening situation in eastern Ukraine after the destruction of the airport in Donestk and shelling in Mariupol, which resulted in more than 30 civilian casualties.