Lithuania is proposing that the European Union recognize hybrid attacks from Belarus as a criterion for imposing sanctions. The proposal was announced by Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys while speaking to journalists ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 20 November.
The Lithuanian foreign minister urged the EU to deliver a strong and united response to hybrid attacks coming from Belarus.
“When deterrence does not work, when our response is not strong enough, dictators resort to new criminal activities, instrumentalize them and use them against us. This time we are talking about smuggling operations that disrupt our civil aviation, interfere with flights and cause millions in losses. At the national level, Lithuania has done its part; now it is important for the EU to act as well and make it clear that it does not intend to tolerate hybrid attacks against member states and is ready to use all tools to protect the security of its citizens. Sanctions are one such tool. We propose adding the criterion of hybrid attacks to the sanctions against Belarus,” the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry press service quoted Budrys as saying.
He also spoke in favor of using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s needs.