BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Thursday the European Union should slap the harshest-possible sanctions on Russia and give Ukraine “a much more visible and transparent road to membership” in the 27-nation bloc.
Arriving to an emergency meeting of EU leaders after Russia invaded Ukraine from the air, sea and land early in the day, Nauseda said: “This is an absolutely inappropriate act of aggression…. Unfortunately, we were not successful enough, not decisive enough to prevent Russia from this step.”
“Which is a tragedy for Ukraine, a tragedy for Europe and a tragedy for Russia itself. We cannot take the luxury to be a discussion club. I believe still in the potential of the EU in preventing such actions in the middle of Europe.”
“Tomorrow might be too late,” he said.
(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska)
