U.S. initiatives receive endorsement from Lithuanian president; he advocates for increased sanctions against the Kremlin
In a series of meetings and conversations, international leaders gathered to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
Last Friday, President Donald Trump held a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as did British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. The discussions were followed by Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, but the summit did not result in a ceasefire announcement or any apparent breakthrough to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Following the meetings, Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys called for the preparation of the 19th EU sanctions package against Russia. He also emphasised the need to increase military support to Ukraine and stressed the importance of defending the principles of international law. Meanwhile, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda welcomed Donald Trump's efforts to end the war started by Russia in Ukraine.
In response to Russia's unwillingness to stop the war, President Nauseda called for tougher international sanctions against the Kremlin. He also stated that the killing of innocent civilians must stop before negotiating a peace deal.
A diplomatic source reported that the U.S. proposed security guarantees for Ukraine similar to those of NATO, but without Ukraine joining the bloc. It was also reported that Zelensky's meeting with Trump will discuss the potential form of a Trump-Putin-Zelensky summit, the role of Kyiv's European allies in peace talks, territories, and security guarantees.
Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Trump in Washington on Monday. Lithuania, in the meantime, is prepared to contribute as part of the Coalition of the Willing, following President Trump's statement on U.S. readiness to provide security guarantees.
After the conversation between Trump and Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with US President Donald Trump, who is continuing to work with Ukrainian and Russian officials towards a trilateral meeting and peace talks involving Ukraine and Russia.
Transatlantic unity remains crucially important, according to Foreign Minister Budrys. However, no specific details were provided about the content or timing of the 19th EU sanctions package against Russia, or about any potential increased military support or EU path for Lithuania.
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