During the meeting, the Lithuanian leader stressed that the UN’s role is essential in containing the consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine for third countries. The President noted that the disinformation and false narratives about the causes of the food crisis spread by Russia and Belarus in the countries of the Global South are extremely harmful. According to Gitanas Nauseda, it is important that decisions taken at international level be based on facts and not on the lies of Russia’s propaganda.
“Disruptions in food supply chains were caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. Both the Kremlin and the Lukashenko regime are exploiting this for their own political ends—the possibility of circumventing EU sanctions or having them lifted. But let’s not be deceived, and let’s not let others be deceived. It is not the EU sanctions that are the cause of these problems, but Russia’s aggression. We would appreciate the UN’s efforts to facilitate exports of Ukrainian grain, instead of suggesting lifting sanctions against the aggressor,” the President spoke.
The meeting also discussed Russia’s accountability for war crimes and the crime of aggression. Gitanas Nausėda reaffirmed his support for the issuance of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court to investigate war crimes committed in Ukraine. However, according to the Lithuanian leader, there is currently no international court that could hold Russia’s top political and military leadership accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, which is why Lithuania supports the establishment of the special international tribunal.
