Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis responded to statements from Russian opposition members, who were released as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries, regarding the easing of sanctions against Russia.
In his post on social media platform X, Landsbergis noted that he often hears about the innocence of ordinary Russians, but then he sees how these “ordinary Russians kill ordinary Ukrainians.” He emphasized that “ordinary Russia is sick” and can only be healed after a defeat in the war with Ukraine.
“I see ordinary Russian mothers saying goodbye to their ordinary Russian sons and wishing them success in their ordinary Russian war crimes. I see ordinary Russians celebrating murder. I see ordinary Russian parents dressing their ordinary Russian children in military uniforms and painting the letter Z on cardboard tank costumes. I see ordinary Russians gathering to form a huge Z figure in a city square,” stated the head of Lithuania’s foreign ministry.
“Russia is sick. The healing process will be long and exhausting, and it will begin only after Russia, not just Putin, is defeated. Without a defeat in Ukraine, Russia will continue to expand,” Landsbergis declared. He also added that anything that slows down the Russian military machine will receive support from Lithuanians.
Earlier, Russian opposition members, released during a recent prisoner exchange, complained about sanctions against the Russian Federation, stating the need to ease sanctions and punish only Putin’s regime, not the Russian people. This position was voiced by Vladimir Kara-Murza and Andrei Pivovarov, who more closely resemble Kremlin agents than genuine opposition figures.
Therefore, more weapons and aid to Ukraine, along with more sanctions and isolation for Russians, are needed – this is the path to Ukraine’s victory, democracy, and international law.
