Lithuanian defense minister: Only way to negotiate with Russia is with a 'gun on the table'
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Dovilė Šakalienė giving a speech.

Minister of Defense of the Republic of Lithuania Dovilė Šakalienė at a press conference. (Jörg Carstensen/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Lithuania, along with other European nations, also wants to withdraw from another treaty soon known as the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel land mines.

“This is a terrible weapon, just like cluster munitions, but the Russians are using the weapons, including forbidden weapons. So we want to send the message back,” she said.

In addition to Russia, China and the United States are also not parties to the agreement. In 2014, the United States announced it would abide by the Ottawa Convention, except for the landmines already deployed on the Korean Peninsula.

Šakalienė, a deeply devout Christian, said Russia is not only attacking Ukraine, but the Christian faith as well.

“It was Soviet Russia that tried to annihilate the church in Ukraine, in Lithuania, in Poland. They have now sort of revived their Christianity and are using it for KGB infiltration, for FSB infiltration, she said. “This is a betrayal.”

She continued, “When we see how churches in Ukraine are being bombed, being robbed…the Christian community in Ukraine is being murdered and their beautiful heritage is being destroyed.”

The Lithuanian defense minister ended the interview with a final warning.

“We tend to try to diminish our enemies. This is a mistake. You have to see them for what they are.”

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