Both ministers took to Twitter to express similar views in English.
As we see #Russia continuing its agression against #Ukraine and Russian troops not leaving #Belarus it is clear that transatlantic community needs to begin implementing sanctions against Russia and NATO should deploy more forces in the region
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) February 20, 2022
During last days and hours Russia is increasingy acting as outrageous agressor. Its time to implement first part of sanctions.
— Artis Pabriks (@Pabriks) February 20, 2022
Nor were the two ministers alone, with Lithuania's Foreign Minister expressing near-identical views as opinion appears to shift from implementing sanctions as and when Russia launches an invasion, to pre-emptively applying sanctions to make to clear the West views Russia's continued intimidation of Ukraine as unacceptable.
Russian troops stay on in Belarus violating all guarantees to withdraw. It's a clear preparation to attack Ukraine towards Kyiv & creeping annexation of Belarus: game-changer for security of NATO countries bordering Belarus: 🇱🇹🇵🇱🇱🇻! NATO reinforcements & EU sanctions are in order
— Gabrielius Landsbergis (@GLandsbergis) February 20, 2022
