Lithuanian President Criticizes Germany Over Inaction on Russia

June 8, 2025

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders for failing to follow through on threats to impose sanctions on Russia unless it agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.

He told the Sunday edition of Germany's Bild newspaper it "absolutely" undermined Europe's credibility.

"And it doesn't just affect the credibility of our sanctions, but the credibility of all our measures towards Russia and our support for Ukraine," Nauseda said in remarks published on Sunday.

After visiting Kyiv last month, Merz, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, urged Russia to accept a 30-day ceasefire, warning of sanctions if it refused.

Russia ignored the deadline, and no sanctions followed.

Nauseda said the sanctions imposed on Russia so far have not been strong enough.

Source: dw.com.