Minister of Finance Kristupas Vaitiekūnas: we seek new sanctions against Russia and Belarus
At the meeting with Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union Maria Luís Albuquerque, Minister of Finance Kristupas Vaitiekūnas stressed the need to start preparing the 20th package of sanctions against Russia as soon as possible and to strengthen the sanctions regime against Belarus in light of Russia’s further aggression against Ukraine and the Belarusian regime’s provocative actions against Lithuania.
“Russia continues killing the Ukrainian civilians and Belarus is increasingly active in hybrid provocations against Lithuania. The European response must be more decisive – a new, 20th package of sanctions must be prepared as soon as possible, including additional restrictions in the energy and financial sectors”, stated Minister of Finance K. Vaitiekūnas.
The Minister thanked the Commission for its huge work in preparing and adopting the 19th package of sanctions which incorporated also Lithuania’s proposals. According to the Minister, the 20th package of sanctions should be launched immediately and cover the following main fields: energy and additional restrictions on the shadow fleet, finance – additional sanctions on Russian banks and cryptocurrency companies, as well as technologies – abolishing the remaining exemptions for dual-use and high-tech exports to Russia.
In view of the regular hybrid attacks, the sanctions must also be extended to Belarus, including the extension of restrictions on the aviation sector, additional restrictions on the financial sector, imports, etc.
“Our aim is to ensure that the EU sanctions regime is coherent and effective. The Belarusian regime, assisting Russia, must face economic consequences of the same magnitude”, noted the Minister.
The Minister of Finance Kristupas Vaitiekūnas calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to secure that the 20th package of sanctions against Russia and new sanctions against Belarus are prepared in the near future.
Last updated: 10-11-2025
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