The European Union is still failing to agree on its 21st package of sanctions against Russia, with Lithuania’s ambassador to the bloc saying signs of European fatigue with pressuring the Kremlin are becoming increasingly apparent.
Lithuania is among the few countries backing the toughest possible sanctions against Russia, with ambitions ranging from closing European borders to Russian soldiers to banning the transport of Russian liquefied natural gas. But Lithuania’s ambassador to the EU says Europe is growing tired of punishing the Kremlin.
“The argument heard most often is that sanctions should not harm European countries and their economies compared with Russia,” says Lithuania’s ambassador to the EU, Nerijus Aleksiejūnas.
As a result, restrictions on Russia’s fishing sector have already been dropped from the sanctions package, while Bulgaria is vetoing sanctions against Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill.
France, Italy and Spain are the main opponents of a ban on Russian soldiers entering Europe. They issued the most visas to Russian citizens last year.
