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Budrys in Brussels: The EU must defend its member states, and the way to do that is to impose more sanctions on Belarus

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2025-11-24

On November 24, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys is participating in the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) meeting in Brussels.

Ahead of the meeting, the head of Lithuania's diplomacy told reporters that he would inform his counterparts about the ongoing joint Belarusian attack on Lithuania, involving smuggler balloons and the seizure of Lithuanian trucks.

"The European Union, one of its member states, is under economic pressure. The EU must protect its members, their companies, and the property of those companies. And the way to do this is to impose more sanctions targeting the Belarusian economy, trade, and representatives of the regime," said Budrys.

Another key topic of today's meeting will be the transatlantic economic security agenda, which EU ministers will discuss with their U.S. counterparts in Brussels. According to Budrys, it is not possible to remain in the permanent phase of repairing relations - it is necessary to agree on steel and aluminum and to implement what was agreed in August. The Minister considers the need to agree on a strategy to counter China's aggressive policies as the most urgent priority.

"There is an urgent need for a strategy, solutions to counter China's aggressive economic policies, coercion policies, and its control over exports of rare earth metals and other goods needed by our industry," he said.

For the Minister's full statement, please click here: https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20251124-foreign-affairs-council-trade-november-2025/151313-arrival-and-doorstep-lt-budrys-20251124