Lithuania moves to have Russia's GRU military intelligence declared a terrorist organisation
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said his country will seek to have Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, designated a terrorist organisation. He also urged EU member states to act against the agency.
Lithuania will seek to have the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency, designated a terrorist organisation, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said on Wednesday. Speaking to LRT RADIO, he argued that the agency's attacks on civilian infrastructure across Europe amount to acts of terrorism.
According to the minister, such a designation would carry far-reaching consequences for people linked to the agency. Budrys said anyone who has served in the GRU or is associated with it would, in Lithuania's view, be regarded as supporting or contributing to terrorism. In his words, such people would have no place near Lithuanian companies or banks, or ultimately on its territory.
Legal basis first
The minister explained that Lithuania must first build a solid legal foundation. This would draw on investigations and court cases providing evidence that ties attacks not only to Russia in general, but specifically to the GRU. Only then would the country push for the designation.
Budrys stressed that Lithuania wants Russia's actions in Europe to be clearly identified and those responsible held to account. He claimed Russia is doing nothing in Europe other than carrying out acts of terror, trying to spread fear in societies and targeting civilian infrastructure. He asked rhetorically: if that is not terrorism, what is?
Call to the EU
Budrys also urged European Union member states to take action against the GRU. He made the appeal at this week's meeting of the bloc's Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, where EU ministers discuss foreign policy.
