Lithuanian President Proposes Disconnecting All Russian Banks from SWIFT and Strengthening Sanctions Against Russia’s Shadow Fleet

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has called for all Russian banks that have not yet been sanctioned to be disconnected from the international payment system SWIFT. According to the head of state, this would significantly increase financial pressure on the Russian Federation and limit its ability to finance the war.

This is reported by AgroReview

Proposals for Strengthening Sanctions

Nausėda also suggested expanding restrictions on energy companies that remain primary sources of revenue for the Russian budget. In particular, this refers to enterprises such as Nord Stream, Rosatom, Gazprom, and Lukoil. He stated that these companies play a key role in financially supporting the Kremlin’s aggressive policies.

“Otherwise, they will consider us weak and believe that Europe is not ready to make bold decisions,” Nausėda emphasized.

Sanctions Against Russia’s Shadow Fleet

Separately, the Lithuanian leader highlighted the need to include all vessels of the so-called shadow fleet of Russia, which number over 1,100, in the sanctions list. Currently, only 350 of such vessels are under restrictions. Nausėda believes that the existing sanctions are insufficiently effective, as the Russian Federation continues to find ways to circumvent them. This allows the Russian economy to “function relatively well,” despite the already implemented restrictions.

The President of Lithuania stressed that the Kremlin’s policy poses a serious threat to all European countries. In this regard, he called for strengthening collective solidarity within Europe and for more active participation from NATO allies in developing the Alliance’s “unified capability.”