Lithuanian Foreign Minister Discusses Hybrid Threats From Belarus With US Secretary Of State

Washington stands in solidarity with Vilnius.

Authoritarian regimes near NATO's borders continue to test the Alliance's limits, so a unified response and strong deterrence are essential to prevent such actions. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kjastutis Budrys said this at a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on November 10.

Budrys expressed gratitude to the U.S. administration for its solidarity with Lithuania and principled response to airspace violations, as well as to escalating hybrid threats from Russia and Belarus.

"The minister also emphasized the need to coordinate U.S. and European sanctions policies against Russia and Belarus in order to curb the irresponsible behavior of these regimes," the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry website said.

Budrys also stressed that the presence of U.S. troops in Europe and in Lithuania remains an indispensable tool to deter Russian aggression. During the meeting with Marco Rubio, they also discussed ways to achieve sustainable peace in Ukraine.

"It is clear that Putin's goals have not changed - he does not seek peace and wants to continue the war. It is important to ensure uninterrupted military and financial assistance to Ukraine and to continue to pressure Russia by all means, limiting its ability to wage war," Budrys said.

The foreign minister emphasized that since 2022 Lithuania has completely refused to buy Russian gas and oil, meeting its needs through its own energy production and imports from allied countries, mainly the United States. This is, according to Budrys, and important step for the whole of Europe - to completely get rid of Europe's energy dependence on Russia. The U.S. sanctions against the Russian energy sector and calls for European partners to stop buying Russian oil and gas have been a significant push forward, the Lithuanian minister said.

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