Lithuania will seek to have Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU, designated a terrorist organisation, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said Wednesday, arguing that its attacks on civilian infrastructure across Europe amount to acts of terrorism.
Such a designation would have far-reaching consequences for people linked to the agency, Budrys told LRT RADIO.
“It would mean that anyone who has served in or is associated with the GRU would be considered by us to be supporting or contributing to terrorism,” he said. “Such people would have no place anywhere near our companies, our banks or, ultimately, our territory.”
Budrys said Lithuania first needed to establish a strong legal basis for the move, drawing on investigations and court cases that provide evidence linking attacks not only to Russia but specifically to the GRU.
“On that basis, we will seek to have it designated a terrorist organisation,” he said.
Lithuania wants Russia’s actions in Europe to be clearly identified and those responsible held accountable, Budrys insisted.
“They are doing nothing other than carrying out acts of terror in Europe, seeking to spread fear in our societies and targeting civilian infrastructure,” he said. “If that is not terrorism, what is?”
Budrys urged European Union member states to take action against the GRU at a meeting of the bloc’s Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg this week.
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