Lithuania has the right not to apply the exceptions provided for by the ninth package of EU sanctions against Russia, and will use them. This was stated by the country's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, according to DELFI..

“A compromise has been found, it makes it very easy for Lithuania not to apply these exceptions. Any other state has the same right.. Lithuania will take advantage of this opportunity provided by the European Commission and will not grant exceptions to hundreds of oligarchs, or at least those who are actually in Lithuania, have money or companies in Lithuania,” he explained..

This week, the EU approved the ninth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, but the main focus was on discussing exceptions to existing restrictions.. Since the beginning of the war, eight packages of sanctions have mostly not affected fertilizers, as well as agricultural and food products..

However, some countries in the bloc, notably the Netherlands and Belgium, argue that restrictions on oligarchs make it harder to bank settlements for non-sanctioned exports.. Because they demanded the lifting of part of the restrictions. Lithuania and Poland were opposed, saying that this could open loopholes for circumventing sanctions..

At the same time, the EU found a compromise. According to the agreements, oligarchs seeking to release the funds must provide evidence that this money is needed for a specific supply of food or fertilizers to third countries.. The EU country that receives the request will make its own decisions.

Vilnius has agreed on the right not to use such exceptions even after receiving a request to release funds. Landsbergis called it a victory for Lithuania.

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According to him, this is a political decision and theoretically the next government may have a different approach..

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Recall that the next package of EU sanctions against the Russian Federation will concern the military-industrial complex, TV channels, banks and the provision of consulting services to companies from Russia.