Lithuania opposes easing sanctions in exchange for grain deal extension - Nausėda

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said that Lithuania maintains the position that easing sanctions against Russia in exchange for an agreement on the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea is wrong.

Ukrinform reports this with reference to LRT.

Nausėda believes that it is absolutely wrong to ease sanctions against dictators. This is the position of all authorities, at whatever level the discussions take place, the Lithuanian leader said.

Earlier this week, an EU diplomat told LRT on condition of anonymity that the EU is ready to listen to Russia's requests conveyed to the UN to extend the Ukrainian grain export agreement. One of them is the lifting of some sanctions against Moscow.

Part of the European community believes that sanctions against Belarus need to be eased somewhat. That is why new sanctions are being slowed down.

Lithuania holds the position that sanctions cannot be eased for either Russia or Belarus, and that they should be the same for the latter as for Moscow.

Despite the disagreement over broader sanctions, the EU is expected to approve a smaller package of sanctions against Belarus this week, covering dual-use goods, high technology, and aviation.