Lithuania calls on EU to recognise Russian military intelligence as terrorist organisation

Kęstutis Budrys, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, has stated that the EU should recognise Russian military intelligence as a terrorist organisation.

Budrys noted prior to the start of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg that the necessity of increasing Russia's isolation, stating that additional sanctions should be introduced against everyone involved in Russian operations and those connected to the Russian war machine.

"We have also to review what GRU is, that is, Russia's military intelligence, in their operations, and they are already acting as a terrorist organisation. That is why it is for the EU to designate this organisation as a terrorist organisation and everyone who is related to them," Budrys said.

Western intelligence agencies recently warned top executives in European defence companies that Russia is stepping up efforts to assassinate them.

Meanwhile, the EU wants to ban Russian diplomats from travelling outside the country to which they are accredited.