Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys has called for the immediate adoption of the European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia following a massive overnight aerial assault by the Kremlin on Ukraine.
He said this in a post on the social media platform X, Ukrinform reports.
The Lithuanian minister stressed that Ukraine had endured yet another “night of terror,” suffering the largest aerial attack since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“This is not just war — it is systematic state terrorism against a sovereign nation and civilians,” Budrys said, noting that more than 700 drones caused destruction on a scale not seen since 2022.
He stressed that a European-wide condemnation would be appropriate, though not sufficient.
“We urge the immediate adoption of the EU’s 18th sanctions package, including a reduction in the oil price cap. This package also targets products and machinery used for the drones and missiles production. Any further delay only buys time for Putin and his war crimes,” Budrys said.
Ukraine’s air defense forces neutralized 718 Russian drones and missiles overnight, including seven Kh-101 and Iskander-K cruise missiles.
In late June, EU member states discussed revisions to the 18th sanctions package, which include proposed restrictions on the Nord Stream pipeline, Russian oil and its derivatives processed abroad, 22 additional banks, and roughly 100 vessels from Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
Photo: Czech Foreign Ministry
Source: Lithuania urges immediate adoption of EU's 18th sanctions package following Russia's aerial assault
