Grybauskaite: Dialogue impossible as long as Kremlin backs terrorists

There are no grounds to speak about lifting sanctions from Russia.

The statement was made by president of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite on Wednesday during the annual press conference, ru.DELFI.lt reports.

“We are open for a dialogue. But only with the countries that do not demonstrate aggression, do not carry out or back terrorist acts and combat action in other countries,” she said. “As long as Russia is engaged in aggression and as long as Russia supports terrorists in eastern Ukraine, a dialogue is not possible.”

Asked if sanctions against Russia could be eased or lifted, the Lithuanian president stressed that the sanctions were aimed against the Kremlin elite, not against Russians.

“We can speak a lot about sanctions. EU has only applied targeted sanctions, which are not aimed at the Russian nation and the people of Russia. We have never tried and will not impose sanctions on the people of Russia,” Grybauskaite said.

She underlined that Russia's actions in Ukraine did not create conditions for lifting sanctions.

“There are no grounds to talk about lifting the sanctions, as the situation and the Russian actions in eastern Ukraine and elsewhere have not changed, therefore, the reasons for imposing them remain valid,” the president of Lithuania said.