Budrys in Brussels: The European Union lacks strategic ambition in its relations with Ukraine
Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Updated 2025-07-14
Today, 14 July in Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, is attending the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council on trade issues. The main topics of the meeting are EU-US trade relations, EU-China relations, and the free trade agreement with Ukraine.
Following the announcement by US President Donald Trump over the weekend about a 30% tariff on European goods effective from August 1, Lithuania's top diplomat says there will be tough negotiations in the coming weeks, but he remains optimistic. According to the Minister, Lithuania fully supports the position of the European Commission in the negotiations with the U.S.
"Tariffs are not good for anyone. We must avoid escalation in our relations with the United States and seek a mutually beneficial solution. We have so many common challenges in front of us that we can best solve together with our transatlantic partner," Budrys told reporters ahead of the meeting.
The Minister underlined that the EU had always stood for fair trade based on and respecting international rules. This must continue now.
Assesing the proposed free trade agreement with Ukraine, Budrys insisted that its preliminary version lacks ambition.
"The European Union lacks strategic ambition in its relations with Ukraine. We see Ukraine as an inevitable part of European security and the future, therefore, we have to proceed with economic integration," the Minister said.
For the Minister's full statement, click here: https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20250714-foreign-affairs-council-trade-july-2025/149730-arrival-and-doorstep-lt-budrys-20250714
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