U. S. Republican senators John McCain, John Barrasso and John Hoeven continue their visit in the Baltics, meeting Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite and visiting NATO air police base in Siauliai.
U. S. Republican senators John McCain, John Barrasso and John Hoeven continue their visit in the Baltics, meeting Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite and visiting NATO air police base in Siauliai.
The main points of discussion were the situation in Ukraine and the threats it poses to the security of Europe and the Baltic region.
John McCain while commenting on today's events in Ukraine again called Western sanctions 'almost laughable'. He called for stronger response, because 'Vladimir Putin only understands language of strength'.
The President and the Senators reviewed steps to strengthen co-operation between Lithuania and the United States.
At the end of March, Lithuanian political parties signed an agreement pledging to increase defence spending up to 2 percent of the GDP by 2020.
NATO allies have already reinforced the air policing mission in the Baltic region. Senators have also visited the base of the mission in Siauliai.
The President and the Senators discussed ways to expand cooperation in energy sector. They exchanged views on the possibility of facilitating the import of liquefied natural gas from the United States to the EU countries.
This is particularly important for the EU in order to diversify energy sources and diminish energy dependency on a single supplier.
SHOTLIST:
Senators arrive in Siauliai NATO air police mission base
Senators visiting the base
President Dalia Grybauskaite meets the Senators
Soundbite (English)
JOHN McCAIN, Republican U.S. Senator:
(on events in Ukraine) It's predicted. It's predictable. The response to Vladimir Putin's behaviour is almost laughable. The only language Vladimir Putin understands is strength. And there was weakest response imaginable: sanctions, few people and one bank. And I am very very concerned about violence in Eastern Ukraine. I also worry about Moldova and security of that country. Unless Europeans and United States take much stronger action, I believe that Mr. Putin will feel bolder. The fact that US would not give defensive weapons to Ukraine including body armour, night goggles, jet fuel, spare parts. The fact that we would not give them in fear of provoking Vladimir Putin will only encourage Vladimir Putin.
Soundbite (English)
JOHN HOEVEN, Republican U.S. Senator:
(on shale gas) We were very impressed with your President, because she is taking action right here in Lithuania to develop the infrastructure, LNG natural gas terminal, so that you could get gas from other sources than Gazprom, and also electricity. Within one year you are talking about being able to get gases from other sources, and within a year and a half to two years, electricity. That is a very important part.
Soundbite (English)
