“Measures aimed at stopping the Russian aggression and making the regime accountable and financially responsible for its criminal actions is a humanitarian necessity – not something for us to choose freely,” the President said in a recorded keynote speech.
Gitanas Nausėda called for the further extension of international sanctions against Russia by refusing to import oil and gas, closing seaports to Russian ships, restricting the financial operations of all remaining Russian and Belarusian banks, and isolating Russia from any international activity. In order to increase the EU’s own resilience, it is necessary to step up efforts to achieve energy independence, including by accelerating the green transformation, to promote innovation and new technologies as well as to continue discussions on the anti-coercion instrument, which would make it possible to protect against unfriendly third countries.
According to the President, decisions taken today will have a long-term impact on Europe’s political and economic future. They must therefore adequately reflect the EU community’s commitment to shared European values.
“Ukrainians are fighting not only for themselves. At this very moment, they are paying in blood so that Europe remains free, stable and peaceful. They are the true Europeans, indeed!” said the President, calling for all possible support to Ukraine and for granting it an EU candidate status as soon as possible, thus sending a clear and unambiguous message to all Ukrainians.
Speaking about bilateral relations, Gitanas Nausėda emphasized that Germany was a reliable political and economic partner of Lithuania. The two countries share a common interest not only in further developing cooperation, especially in the areas of innovation and financial technology, but also in strengthening the EU’s competitiveness and completing the creation of capital markets and banking unions.
The President invited German financial institutions to exploit business opportunities in Lithuania and wished Lithuania and Germany to continue to build a strong relationship, based on respect and trust and contributing to the prosperity of both countries and the EU as a whole.
