Ukraine war unlikely to end by 2028, Lithuanian President Nausėda says

He said this after arriving at the EU summit in Brussels, according to European Pravda.

"I hope there will be a resolution to the war in Ukraine before the next period of the EU’s multiannual budget (which begins in 2028 – ed.). But right now, I am not too optimistic. I do not see light at the end of the tunnel," Nausėda stated.

In his opinion, Russia is only pretending to negotiate.

"I believe a truce is an absolute prerequisite for any peace agreement. And right now, that is not on the table. Therefore, our response must be clear and strong; we must implement the 18th package of sanctions," the Lithuanian president emphasized.

He considers the new set of restrictions strong and sufficient, provided there are no exceptions or relaxations.

• At the beginning of June, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is preparing the 18th package of tough sanctions targeting Russia’s energy revenues, including the Nord Stream infrastructure, Russia’s banking sector, and lowering the oil price cap.

• According to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, the new EU sanctions package against Russia will be approved by the end of this week.