Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has publicly stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is bluffing when he talks about a ceasefire regarding energy supplies, asserting that Russia continues to terrorize Ukrainians by leveraging winter conditions as a weapon. Budrys highlighted the inhumane tactic of freezing people in darkness as evidence of Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine. He claims that the scale of these attacks points to a deliberate strategy aimed at inflicting maximum suffering on the civilian population amidst harsh winter temperatures.

He also noted that, despite ongoing attempts at peace negotiations, Russia has not shown any genuine intention to cease its military operations. A recent large-scale night raid by Russian forces targeted Ukraine's critical infrastructure, particularly civilian energy facilities, indicating a strategic choice to hit at the heart of Ukraine's ability to sustain its population during winter. Budrys pointed out that these actions are tantamount to war crimes due to their systematic nature and the targeting of civilian infrastructure.

Budrys's comments underscore the need for a unified international response to these assaults, as he emphasized that such systematic attacks on energy infrastructure, including nuclear-related facilities, necessitate accountability from the global community. His statements serve to galvanize support for Ukraine while calling for a stronger stance against Russia's actions in the conflict, urging the international community to recognize and respond to these violations adequately.