Lithuania urges EU to designate Russian GRU as terrorist group

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys has called on the European Union to officially designate the Russian military intelligence agency, the GRU, as a terrorist organization. Speaking at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Budrys argued that the agency is already operating with terrorist methods, citing its involvement in hybrid attacks across Europe, including arson in Munich and a drone attack at Leipzig airport.

Budrys urged the EU to extend this designation to all individuals and entities connected to the GRU to better counter Russian destabilization efforts. He emphasized that deterrence requires increasing pressure through sanctions rather than reducing it.

Additionally, the Lithuanian minister criticized the recent EU decision to remove Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list. He described the move as a “sign of weakness” that has encouraged Russia to intensify its aggression both in Ukraine and within European nations. Budrys also advocated for the accelerated enlargement of the EU to include Ukraine and Moldova to bolster European security.