Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda says Russia has become an aggressor which, in some cases, is "even more cruel, more brutal than the Nazis". His comments come as Moscow commemorates its victory over Nazi Germany on May 9.
In an interview with LRT RADIO, President Nausėda expressed hope that the Russian society would reflect how the country had itself become the aggressor.
“I can only wish and hope that this day – which should be celebrated by the Russian society as a day of victory over another aggressor, another invader – will be a moment of reflection that [...] they themselves have become the aggressors and that they themselves are, in some cases, even more cruel, more brutal than the Nazis during the Second World War.”
He also said that people should be able to pay their respects on May 9, but Lithuania “will not allow provocations to be organised against its own people and to discredit the commemoration day itself”.
Increased police presence has been reported throughout Lithuania, as mostly people from the country's Russian community visit Soviet cemeteries and the remaining memorials.
The intelligence services and the police have warned of possible incidents due to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
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