Šimonytė: Russia spreads complete disinformation and propaganda

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė firmly rejected Russian claims that Baltic states provided airspace or territory for drone attacks against Russia. "The Baltic states have never provided their airspace and territories for drone attacks on targets in Russia. This is complete disinformation and propaganda from Russia, as the aggressor," Šimonytė stated.

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The Baltic states have never provided their airspace and territories for drone attacks on targets in Russia. This is complete disinformation and propaganda from Russia, as the aggressor.

She urged a clear distinction between truth and falsehood, emphasizing that any threat directed at the Baltic countries can only be attributed to Russia's aggression. Šimonytė added that Russia holds the power to de-escalate the situation. Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko supported this view, suggesting that the information circulating, particularly concerning an incident near Kaliningrad, is a result of Russian propaganda.

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We really want us to separate truth from lies a little and deconstruct it. What has happened in Lithuania in recent weeks is understandable – Ukraine is defending itself. We can only blame Russia, as the aggressor, for any threat directed at the Baltic countries. Russia holds the power to stop everything.

An incident at Kaliningrad's Khrabrovo airport saw temporary flight restrictions due to potential threats from drones or unidentified objects, causing dozens of planes to circle overhead. This marked the first such restriction since early 2022.

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Regarding Kaliningrad – it is difficult to comment. I think we are seeing the results of Russian propaganda in Lithuania.

During a meeting in Lithuania, Šimonytė and Svyrydenko agreed to continue intensifying pressure on Russia and Belarus. They committed to strengthening sanctions, preventing their circumvention, and barring aggressors from international sports and cultural arenas. Both leaders also stressed the need for international cooperation to hold Russia and Belarus accountable for war crimes and the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children, with Lithuania supporting the establishment of a special tribunal and the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's defense and reconstruction.

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Today, with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, we agreed that together with our partners, we must continue to increase pressure on Russia and Belarus – strengthen sanctions, prevent their circumvention, and not allow aggressors to return to international sports arenas and concert stages.