Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Lithuania, Russia

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Grybauskaite is attending the European Council, which among other issues is also considering extending sanctions imposed on Russia. The president has said that a common and principled position of the European Union countries is crucial as terrorist backed by Russia are continuing combat activities in Ukraine and are systematically violating Minsk ceasefire agreements. Sanctions against Russia can only be mitigated when Ukraine regains full control of its external borders and when soldiers of a hostile country, including their military equipment, withdraw from Ukraine.

Grybauskaite says that Lithuania and the Baltic States are strongly against actions carried out by Russia – against its flexing of muscles and demonstrating aggression by deploying in Kaliningrad Region ballistic missiles Iskander that can reach as far as Berlin.

According to the president, it is pointless to consider negotiations with Russia under such conditions, which means that sanctions must continue.

Austria's Foreign Minister claimed that talks should focus on peace and not war. Meanwhile Grybauskaite said that the EU is ready to talk to a country which is itself ready for a peaceful dialogue.

Laimdota Straujuma (Unity) said that there cannot be any talk of easing or lifting sanctions against Russia as long as all the conditions set-out in the Minsk agreements are not met.

Asked to comment some of the matters which will be discussed during today's European Council meetings, including the EU sanctions against Russia, Straujuma pointed out that there cannot be any talk of lifting or easing sanctions, as Russia has not complied with all of the conditions set-out in the Minsk agreements.

''This is completely clear, and I believe this will be supported by the other EU members,'' Straujuma said, dispelling concerns on a possible divide amongst EU members on this matter.

''We are in full agreement that the sanctions must remain,'' she said.

The AFP news agency reports that Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk warned EU leaders Thursday to keep the pressure on Russia and not allow President Vladimir Putin to exploit their differences over sanctions.

"If Putin splits the unity among EU member states and among the leaders of the EU, this will be the biggest success story for Putin and a disaster for the free world," Yatsenyuk said ahead of a summit of European leaders in Brussels.

Sanctions have been contentious from the start of the Ukraine crisis, with some EU member states such as Germany and Italy reluctant to go too far for fear of damaging important trade and political ties with Russia, the AFP points out.

In contrast, Britain and many of the former east European states once ruled from Moscow have backed a tougher line.

On Thursday, Russia has doubled the number of soldiers participating in unexpected combat readiness verification to 80,000. The manoeuvres are being carried out all across Russia – from the Arctic and the Far East to the Caucasus – under orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also ordered to dispatch strategic nuclear bombers to Crimea as Russia is celebrating the first anniversary of its annexation.