Lithuania urges tougher US stance on Russia amid peace talks

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys on Wednesday urged Washington to adopt a tougher stance on Moscow as talks advance on the US-drafted 28-point Russia-Ukraine peace framework.

Speaking to broadcaster LRT, Budrys expressed hope that the US administration would take a firmer stance on Moscow as the peace plan progresses.

"We can set deadlines, but it is very important to stick to them and to spell out what happens if they are not met," he explained.

Budrys reiterated the need for a sanction, penalty, or "some sort of consequence" if Russia ignores the deadline.

“There is no need to pressure Ukraine here; Russia is the one that must be pressured," he added.

The 28-point framework, details of which were leaked earlier this month, appears to require Ukraine to surrender additional territory to Russia, limit the size of its military and abandon its bid to join NATO.