Lithuanian president criticises Merz over inaction on Russia
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has spoken out against the failure of Western leaders to follow through on threats of sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine.
Commenting on whether German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had undermined Europe's credibility, Nausėda told the Sunday edition of the Bild newspaper: "Absolutely. That is a problem."
"And it doesn't just affect the credibility of our sanctions, but the credibility of all our measures towards Russia and our support for Ukraine," the president said in remarks published on Sunday.
Following a visit last month to Kiev, Merz, together with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, called on Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire.
The leaders threatened sanctions in the event of a refusal. Russia let the deadline pass - and no new sanctions followed.
"We have often announced that we will support Ukraine and supply combat aircraft, long-range missiles and ammunition. But we are not in a position to keep these promises," Nausėda told the newspaper.
The Ukrainians need the equipment and ammunition now, not tomorrow, he said, stressing that sanctions against Russia to date have not been sufficiently decisive.
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