“I do not see any reason for the resignation [of the foreign minister]. The Government is implementing foreign policy responsibly, taking into consideration the most subtle aspects and striving for the best decisions. I would really urge to look at this calmly, not to heat up Russian propaganda with accusations of alleged defeats,” MP Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė, Chairwoman of the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) Political Group in the Seimas, told the public radio LRT.
Meanwhile, former prime minister Saulius Skvernelis, leader of Democrats For Lithuania, said in an interview to LRT on Thursday that Lithuania had stopped transit of sanctioned goods to Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, but failed to protect its interests after the European Commission issued additional guidance that created exemptions for transit of some sanctioned goods by rail.
“This is yet another scandal and we, the Lithuanian people, were being lied to. (&) Once again we have a scandal with foreign policy,” MP Skvernelis said.
“We were told lies that the ban fully encompasses transit to Kaliningrad Oblast,” the politician said, adding that when sanctions were being adopted Lithuanian representatives likely did not even clarify if they apply on transit to Kaliningrad.
Skvernelis added that the public wants clear answers, whereas political responsibility lied with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the foreign minister.
“Now there is an attempt to blame the European Commission that it allowed something, but this contradicts reality. The Commission once again explained what decisions had been made,” declared Skvernelis.
