UN General Assembly
2022

Finally, we must consider the fact that Russia’s war in Ukraine is an extension of the wider context. What do we see in Russia? The human rights situation there is deteriorating. Independent media and non-governmental organizations are being simply banished. Similar developments are taking place in Belarus. Systematic and widespread attacks target civil society, human rights defenders and independent media. The number of political prisoners in Belarus now exceeds 1,200, and it continues to grow. That is truly alarming and requires more attention from the international community. Lithuania has provided asylum to Russians and Belarusians — representatives of non-governmental organizations and independent media — who were persecuted in their home countries. For Lithuania, the time for a business-as-usual approach is over. We have demonstrated that by building energy independence and accelerating our green transition. I invite all countries to stop financing this bloody war by refusing to buy the aggressor’s energy resources, which would significantly affect its ability to continue this brutal war.