Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has expressed concerns about the lack of follow-through on threats of sanctions against Russia from major European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. In a recent interview with the German newspaper Bild, the Lithuanian President criticised the EU leaders for a lack of will to transform threats of sanctions against Russia into concrete actions.
Frederikas Jansonas, chief communication adviser to President Nausėda, speaking to the press, elaborated that discussions that do not result in concrete actions can create a perception of weakness, which may incentivise Russia to test the limits of the West’s resolve. He emphasised that the President’s criticism was not aimed solely at Chancellor Merz, but it reflected concerns about the actions of leaders in major European countries. If threats are made against Russia without subsequent action, the Kremlin is emboldened to explore new boundaries and question the unity of the Western alliance.
Jansonas highlighted the potential danger posed to NATO’s eastern flank by discussions that conclude without decisive measures.
President Nausėda has reiterated the importance of maintaining the credibility of sanctions and all responses toward Russia, as noted by the German news agency DPA. He stated that this situation undermines the credibility of EU sanctions and affects the overall integrity of measures toward Russia and EU support for Ukraine.
Following a visit to Kyiv, Chancellor Merz, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, called for a 30-day ceasefire from Russia, threatening sanctions should there be a refusal. However, the deadline passed without any new sanctions being imposed.
