Russia complains about Lithuania's arms supplies to Ukraine
Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
Publication Date | 27 February 2015 |
Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia complains about Lithuania's arms supplies to Ukraine, 27 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5509414e8.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 27, 2015
Russia says it has formally complained to Lithuania that the Baltic country's supply of weapons to Ukraine violated its international arms trade commitments.
The Russian Embassy in Vilnius said on February 27 that the complaint was sent in a letter from the Russian Foreign Ministry to the Lithuanian Embassy in Moscow.
It said such supplies "represent a direct violation of Lithuania's legal commitments in the area of export of armaments."
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius denied his country had violated any agreements.
Lithuania has supplied weapons to Ukraine "in small quantities and openly," Linkevicius told Reuters.
He added that: "and yet we are reprimanded by the country that continually supplies arms to the conflict in Ukraine, in nonsymbolic quantities, and denies doing so."
Russia has been accused by NATO, Ukraine, the United States and numerous Western countries of supplying the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine with weapons and even troops, charges that Moscow denies.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website